Cous Cous Salad

This is a very easy,healthy and filling salad which can be done in less than 15-20 mins and is a great crowd pleaser.I generally make it for my lunch or dinner so that I can enjoy the good healthy salad with some bread and lemonade which forms a very filling meal.The Preparation of this salad is no different from any other salad which we make regularly just that cous cous is added in a major portion to the regular salad.The choice of vegetables,nuts,beans,spices,herbs are left to our imagination and creativity.This is one combination of salad which I make regularly.

Ingredients:
1 cup Cous Cous
1 1/2 cup hot water approx
1 medium onion,cut into small cubes(you can even add spring onions)
1 medium capsicum,seeded and cut into small cubes(you can add any kind of peppers)
1 big tomato,seeded and cut into small cubes
1/4 cup small cubed cucumber
1/4 cup chopped coriander and some mint
8-10 seedless black/green olives
3-4 pickled gherkins/jalapenos,chopped
2 green chilies,very finely chopped
a handful of roughly chopped walnuts/pine nuts
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil(EVOO)
salt to taste

For Dressing:
2 tbsp extra virgin Olive oil(EVOO)
2 tsp lemon juice
2 garlic pods,grated
salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Method:

• In a large bowl mix cous cous and pour hot boiling water and salt over it and mix well and cover it with a lid and keep it aside for 12-15 mins.Or Cook cous cous according to the package directions.
  
• Now pour a tbsp of EVOO(olive oil) and fluff it up with a fork gently.
• Now mix in all the diced vegetables(tomatoes,onions,cucumber,olives,capsicum), chopped green chillies,coriander and mint,walnuts and mix well with a wooden spatula.
• Take a small bowl and mix olive oil,lemon juice,grated garlic,salt and pepper using a balloon whisk until everything is well mixed.
• Pour the dressing over the cous cous mixture and mix well.
• Refrigerate it for half an hour to one hour to allow the flavors to blend in the cous cous.

Garnish with some walnuts and coriander and serve it cold.

Notes and variations to the salad:

• Various vegetables like Sauteed spinach or fresh baby spinach,blanched broccoli,colored bell peppers,grilled zucchini,boiled corn,spring onions and chopped basil can also be added according to your taste.
• You can even add diced feta cheese or paneer to the salad.
  
• You can even add boiled and salted garbanzo beans / Rajma / Lobia beans to the salad if you like.
• Dry fruits like raisins,cranberries,chopped almonds can also be added.Roasted and coarsely ground peanuts can be added for different taste.
  
• For dressing you can add a tsp of balsamic vinegar or regular white vinegar for different flavor.