Couscous is granular semolina. A type of wheat, moistened with water and lightly covered in flour .It is then rolled into tiny bead like pellets. It can be made as a couscous salad, a stuffing and even one-pot wonder.
Originally, a staple of the North African Maghreb. Couscous comes in instant and non-instant varieties. Available all year-round in large supermarkets in bulk or boxes. It works as a full meal when we club fresh salad veggies. You can make it vegan or non-vegan. Great for simple office meals. It doesn't have a lot of flavor on its own. However, works well as a base for vegetables. Mixes beautifully as a salad.
You can add various herbs to give it a flavor of your choice. Cilantro, basil or mint work great. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarians can enjoy it. Change the flavor with the veggies and fruits of the season. You will find yourself re-inventing it time and again. You can add meat or fish to it if you crave it. If you like it less spicy, adding soup stock gives it a delicate flavor.
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Equipment
- mixing bowls
- fork
- air fryer
- pastry brush
Ingredients
- Grilled eggplant-
- Eggplant
- Oil
- Salt
- Spice mix
- Couscous
- Couscous
- Water
- Oil
- Salt
- Fresh salad
- Cherry tomatoes
- Pomegranate
- Lettuce leaves
- Red peppers
- Lime juice
- salt as per taste
How to grill the eggplants ?
I have used an air fryer to grill the eggplant, you can do the same in the oven or in a pan.
- Cut the eggplant in slices,brush with oil and season with salt.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer at 180 C| 375 F for 5 mins. Place the eggplant slices in the air fryer basket, without overlapping each other.Air fryer for 5 minutes.
In a bowl, add spices to olive oil and mix well.
- Brush the spice mix on eggplant slices(both sides).
- Further air fry for 5 mins at 180 C| 375 F
How to make Couscous ?
We have used plain couscous here. In shopping stores such as Costco we have seen couscous with dried vegetables that already has the spices as well. You may use that as well in place of plain couscous.
- Place dry couscous in a bowl. Boil water and add it to the couscous.
- Add salt and olive oil,mix with a spoon.
- Cover with a plate, keep it aside.
- Let is stand for 5 minutes and then use a fork to break through the couscous.
How to make the grilled eggplant salad?
Transfer the cooked couscous ,grilled eggplan slices and fresh salad ingredients to a bowl.
Season with salt and lemon juice and serve.
Top tip
Always preheat your air fryer.
Food safety
Always reheat your leftovers.
If you find eggplants are discoloured when cut, kindly discard.
Variations
I love the Moroccan spiced couscous from Costco as well. Great way to start having it if you want it spicy. Later you can move to plain along with different veggies. You can also use spiced couscous along with grilled veggies like air fryer roast vegetables or air fryer broccoli.
Substitutions
You can mix couscous salad with air fryer beans.
Storage
You can store this in refrigerator for 4-5 days. However, eating it fresh is best.
Couscous salad
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Air fryer or pan
Ingredients
Couscous
- ½ cup couscous
- ½ cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- salt as per taste
Grilled eggplant
- 1 big eggplant sliced in 1 cm thick slicers
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon seasoning mix chipotle/any seasoning mix of choice
- Salt as per taste
Fresh salad ingredients
- 8-10 cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup lettuce leaves or salad leaves
- ½ red pepper cubed
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt & pepper as per taste
Instructions
How to make couscous?
- Place dry couscous in a bowl. Boil water and add it to the couscous.
- Add salt and olive oil,mix with a spoon.
- Cover with a plate, keep it aside.Let is stand for 5 minutes and then use a fork to break through the couscous.
How to cook grilled eggplants?
- Cut the eggplant in slices,brush with oil and season with salt.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer at 180 C| 375 F for 10 mins. Place the eggplant slices in the air fryer basket, without overlapping each other.Air fryer for 5 minutes.
- In a bowl, add spices to olive oil and mix well.Brush the spice mix on eggplant slices(both sides).
- Further air fry for 5 mins at 180 C| 375 F
How to serve salad?
- Add air fried eggplant to couscous.
- Toll the salad with oil and seasoning.
- Serve immediately, can be stored in an air tight container for 12 hours.
Notes
FAQ
You can refrigerate it upto 4 days.
you can eat it hot or cold depending on season. Batch cook and refrigerate it. Mix it with hot air fried vegetables of your choice.
It is ready to eat when liquid is all absorbed and it is tender.
If you add too much liquid it will go soggy. Generally we add 1 cup water to ⅔ cup couscous grains. Always refer to packet instructions.
Please share your inputs..