Fresh and elegant. Lentils, leeks, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, strawberries and watermelon make up this Pearl Couscous Spring Salad. Dressed with mint and an olive oil & balsamic dressing.
What is Pearl Couscous?
Pearl couscous is a must in this recipe! You might be tempted to use any type of couscous. The typical smaller variety of couscous, though is drier and more grain-like, and it won’t be quite as nice in the recipe. What makes this spring salad so elegant is the pretty little pearls of semolina.
This larger type of couscous is actually more like a pasta than a grain. The pearl variety are light round little balls of semolina flour and water. They’re tender and soft with a slight chew like an al dente pasta.
Pearl couscous is actually a larger version of Moroccan couscous, though it is sometimes mistaken as Israeli couscous. Roughly the size of a pea, pearl couscous is even larger than Israeli couscous!
Fruit & Veg in Your Pearl Couscous Spring Salad
You wouldn’t think of putting lentils and watermelon together in a salad but it works beautifully.
The lentils, though make sense with all the fresh green vegetables. The watermelon pairs well with the strawberries and sweet cherry tomatoes. When mixed all together with the light little balls of pearl couscous and top it with balsamic dressing, it’s divine.
This salad boasts a ton of healthy nutrients!
•Lentils contain: B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. They’re also a great source of plant-based protein and fibre.
•Watermelon contains: a variety of nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. It’s packed with antioxidants and low in calories.
•Mint leaves contain: antioxidants and phytonutrients, vitamin A, vitamin C, and B-complex, phosphorous, calcium, and has anti-bacterial properties. It is one of the rich sources of iron, potassium, and manganese which improves haemoglobin levels and promotes brain function.
•Greens like Lettuce and Cucumber contain: Vitamins A, E, C, K . Cucumber are a good source of Thiamin, Zinc and a great source of Vitamin C.
A Simple and Healthy Dressing
High quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic, with a generous pinch of salt is all that makes up the dressing for this recipe. It’s quick, simple and can go on almost anything.
I recommend using a well sourced fine quality olive oil for all of your dressings like Acropolis Organic Olive Oil. It’s actually 100% authentic olive oil sourced from Greece. Up to 80% of oil is fake, so it’s important to choose a reputable brand. The taste of authentic olive oil is distinct and delicious, and you can really taste the difference in your dishes.
Pearl Couscous Spring Salad
Ingredients
Pearl Couscous Spring Salad (Vegan)
- 1 cup pearl couscous cooked and cooled
- 1 cup green lentils canned (or dry lentils, cooked)
- 1 small leek chopped
- 1 small cucumber sliced
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups lettuce of choice chopped
- 1/4 cup stawberries sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
- 1/2 cup watermelon chopped into small chunks
Balsamic & Olive Oil Dressing (Vegan)
- 3 Tbsp baslsamic vinegar
- 6 Tbsp olive oil
- generous pinch of salt
Instructions
Pearl Couscous Spring Salad (Vegan)
- Wash and add chop your veggies and fruit.
- Add your vegetables and fruit into a large bowl.
- Add your (cooked) cold pearl couscous to the bowl. (You can cool your pearl couscous by rinsing it in a strainer under cold water).
- Add your lentils to the bowl and toss so all of your salad ingredients are mixed together.
- Pick your mint leaves off the stalks and toss into your salad (alternatively you can choose to chop them).
Balsamic & Olive Oil Dressing (Vegan)
- Mix your olive oil and balsamic vinegar together in a small bowl.
- Add a genrous pinch of salt to taste and stir.
- Pour your dressing over your salad and enjoy!
Looking for more healthy lunch ideas? Try my Smoky Maple Tofu Sandwich!
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