Curried Couscous Salad with Dried Sweet Cranberries

Name: Curried Couscous Salad with Dried Sweet Cranberries
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H5M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 (5.8-ounce) box instant couscous; 3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries; 1 tablespoon curry powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 orange, juiced; 2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 3 to 4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced on an angle; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves; 1/2 lemon, juiced; 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted; Freshly ground pepper

Getting reviews...

For a picnic, there's no way I'm going to pass on making couscous. Instant Couscous so easy, it's almost embarrassing. The only "cooking" involved is boiling some water. I love it! Of course, you need to add some flavor to the couscous, but that's not hard. When you spike it with curry powder, fresh herbs, and a splash of orange and lemon juice, no one will be complaining about blandness. This dish tastes great at room temperature, and that makes it a picnic no-brainer because you can make it hours ahead of time.

Level: Easy
Total: 20 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 5 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 20 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 5 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 (5.8-ounce) box instant couscous

3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 orange, juiced

2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 to 4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced on an angle

2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

1/2 lemon, juiced

3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

Freshly ground pepper

Directions

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.