Lemony Couscous Salad with Chickpeas and Asparagus
This simple and bright lemon couscous salad is the perfect light and bright side dish. Lemony couscous is tossed with tender asparagus, savory chickpeas, lots of fresh herbs and a bright and lemony vinaigrette.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 330kcal
Cost: $10
Equipment
Ingredients
Citrus Vinaigrette
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Couscous Salad
- ¾ cup water or vegetable stock
- ½ cup uncooked couscous
- 5-6 asparagus grilled or blanched and chopped into 1-2 inch pieces
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas
- 2-3 green onions thinly sliced
- Small bunch of fresh mint leaves roughly chopped
- Small bunch parsley leaves roughly chopped
Instructions
- Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl and taste for seasoning. You can also add all the ingredients to a mason jar and shake until well combined.
- Boil the water or vegetable stock in a small pot and once boiling, pour in couscous and stir once. Turn off the heat and cover the pot and allow couscous to steam for 5-7 minutes. The couscous will be done when all the liquid has been absorbed. Use a fork and fluff the couscous. Let couscous cool for a few minutes.
- Assemble salad by adding cooked couscous in a large bowl along with asparagus, chickpeas, green onions and fresh herbs.
- Add a few tablespoons of vinaigrette and toss to combine. Taste for seasoning and add more vinaigrette if desired.
Notes
Asparagus cooks very quickly and you can either grill or steam asparagus for this recipe.
To grill asparagus: place asparagus on lightly oiled grill and cook until lightly charred, about 2-3 minutes.
To blanch asparagus: Boil asparagus in water until just bright green, then transfer to a bowl filled with ice cold water to stop the cooking and keep the color.
This recipe can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg