Second Time Around Couscous Salad Food

FRESH COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a small sauce pan, blanch the green beans by boiling in liberally salted water for 3 minutes. Drain and cool. In a medium bowl, mix the couscous, beans, tomatoes, shallot, cheese and dressing until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the basil.

CURRIED COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED SWEET CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Stir the couscous, cranberries, curry powder, salt, and sugar together in a heatproof bowl. Bring water (amount will be listed on package directions) to a boil and pour it over the couscous. Add the orange juice. Give it a big stir, cover the bowl tightly and let it stand, giving it a big stir once or twice, until the water is absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Fluff up the couscous with a fork. Add the olive oil, scallions, parsley, lemon juice, and walnuts. Stir around until everything is distributed evenly throughout the couscous. Make up to 2 hours ahead of time and keep at room temperature until you're ready to serve. Check the seasonings just before you serve the salad and add salt and pepper, to taste.
• Note: To toast the walnuts, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree F oven until they turn a shade darker, about 8 minutes.

EASY COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Bring stock to a boil in a heavy saucepan.
• Stir in couscous.
• Cover pan, remove from heat and set aside 15 minutes Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mustard and lemon zest in a small bowl.
• Mix well.
• Transfer couscous to a large bowl.
• Fluff with a fork.
• Add tomatoes, red bell pepper, celery, cucumber, scallions and parsley to bowl with cooked couscous.
• Mix gently.
• Pour dressing over mixture and mix again.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Can be served luke-warm or chilled.

"SECOND TIME AROUND" COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl combine the couscous, scallion, celery, chicken and peas.
• In another mixing bowl combine blue cheese, mayonnaise, mustard and rice vinegar to taste; season with salt and pepper.
• Stir the blue cheese mixture into the couscous and plate.

SECOND TIME AROUND BEEF SALAD

Steps:

• Toss the beef with as much horseradish mayonnaise as you like to season and moisten the beef. If you have no mayonnaise leftover, then toss with a vinaigrette to which you add mustard and some horseradish. Fold in the peppers and season to taste with salt and pepper. Center the beef on a bed of watercress or arugula leaves lightly tossed with olive oil.