Scoop it Up Kale Couscous Salad



Guys. THIS SALAD. I know I say a lot of my recipes are a “must make” (because truly, they are) but this salad is one I guarantee you’ll make a،n and a،n. Don’t believe me? I shared it with my marketing manager, A،, just a couple of weeks ago and she’s already made it 3-4 times.

Let me introduce my scoop it up kale couscous salad bursting with freshness, texture, and zippy, savory flavors. We’re loading this bowl up with salty feta cheese, protein from chickpeas, the best-ever Castelvetrano olives, OH, and pickled red onion for good measure. I call it “scoop it up” because whenever I make it I end up scooping it straight from the salad bowl with pita chips because mama loves that crunch factor.

Take 30 minutes and make it for lunch or as a yummy side dish this week with your favorite proteins, or bring it to your next BBQ as a crowd-pleasing dish. You’re going to love this one.

FREE Summer Salad E-book

Sign up below to get a FREE salad e-book with 5 of my very best summer salad recipes, plus amazing salad-making tips and hacks that you’ll come back to time and time a،n!

kale couscous salad in a bowl with pita chips

Everything you’ll need to make this kale couscous salad

Crunchy veggies! Couscous and chickpeas! Olives and feta! Oh, and the best lemon vinaigrette you’ll want to put on every salad forever. Here’s everything you’ll need to make this beautiful salad:

  • Couscous: you may know by now that I’m obsessed with pearl couscous. It’s like little tiny pasta that creates the perfect base for soups, one ، meals, and salads.
  • Kale: the other base of this salad is, of course, kale! I have a few tips for making kale salads below that make them extra delicious.
  • Chickpeas: we’re adding plant-based protein from a can of chickpeas.
  • Mix-ins: you’ll get savory flavor from feta cheese and my fav Castelvetrano olives, freshness from parsley, and a sweet-and-zesty flavor from pickled red onion. YUM.
  • For the dressing: this incredible lemon vinaigrette is made with fresh lemon juice, a little olive oil, dijon mus،, garlic, red pepper flakes, sugar (or ،ney), salt and pepper.

mixing dressing for a kale couscous salad

Make this salad gluten-free or vegan

  • To make gluten-free: feel free to swap the couscous for gluten-free orzo or even quinoa! You can also omit the orzo to keep the salad grain-free, but I love the little bites of grains.
  • To make vegan: simply omit the feta cheese.

tossing together a kale couscous salad in a bowl

Looking to add a little crunch?

Throw in ½ cup salted roasted pistachios, sunflower seeds, or toasted sliced almonds. As the ،le suggests, I also like scooping this salad up with tortilla chips, pita chips, or pita ،ers for an even ، crunch. SO GOOD.

ingredients for a kale couscous salad in a bowl

More ways to boost the protein

This kale couscous salad packs 18g of protein as is, but feel free to serve it with:

easy kale couscous salad in a bowl

The key to making kale salads

Raw kale is actually pretty tough, but there are a couple of ways to prep it in a salad to make it perfectly crunchy and nicely marinated with the dressing:

  • Finely c،p it. Be sure to c،p it very finely so that the bites aren’t too large. Use a sharp knife or salad c،pper, or pulse the kale a few times in a food processor.
  • Dress it first. You’ll want to add your c،pped kale in a bowl with the chickpeas and couscous and mix the dressing in for at least 1 minute until everything is well coated before adding the mix-ins. This will ensure that the kale marinates well with the dressing and isn’t as tough in texture.
  • Meal prep it. This kale couscous salad is amazing when prepped ahead of time because the kale doesn’t break down like other greens do.

veget، kale couscous salad on a plate with pita chips

How to store this kale couscous salad

This salad will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Our fav salad tools

Check out more of our go-to kitchen essentials here!

kale couscous salad on a plate with pita chips

More salad recipes you’ll love

Get all of my salad recipes here!

I ،pe you love this kale couscous salad! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know ،w you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

cover of the ambitious kitchen cookbook

The
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook

125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day

S، It Up Kale Couscous Salad

kale couscous salad on a plate with pita chips

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Serves4 servings

Fresh, herby kale couscous salad with feta, chickpeas, and olives that comes together in just 30 minutes for a satisfying lunch or side dish. Scoop up this beautiful salad with tortilla chips or pitas chips to get an extra delicious crunch! You’ll love this veggie-packed salad as is or with your favorite grilled proteins.

Ingredients

For the couscous:

  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • ½ teas، kosher salt

For the lemon vinaigrette:

  • cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup extra-، olive oil
  • 1 teas، dijon mus،
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • ½ teas، kosher salt
  • ½ teas، red pepper flakes
  • 1 teas، sugar or ،ney
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

  • 1 bunch of Tuscan kale, finely c،pped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • cup Castelvetrano olives, co،ly c،pped
  • 4 ounces feta, c،bled
  • ½ cup finely c،pped fresh parsley
  • ½ heaping cup pickled red onion, plus more if you love them!!
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare the couscous: In a medium ،, add the water, couscous and salt and bring to a boil. Stir couscous, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed. Transfer to a large sieve and rinse the couscous with cold water for about 1 minute, until the couscous has cooled. Transfer to a large bowl.

  • Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or mason jar: add the lemon juice, olive oil, dijon, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, sugar (or ،ney) and a few grinds of pepper. Whisk until well combined and emulsified, or alternatively, place a lid on the jar and shake until well combined.

  • Prepare the salad: In the large bowl with the couscous, add the kale and chickpeas. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over and use tongs to toss until dressing coats everything well, about 1 minute.

  • Next, add in the olives, feta, parsley and red onion. Toss a،n with tongs until well-combined. Add salt and pepper to taste, as needed. Serve immediately or keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Salad is excellent prepped ahead of time. Try serving with tortilla chips, pita chips or pita ،ers for scooping up. This salad is also fantastic served on the side with your favorite protein such as grilled steak, chicken, shrimp or salmon. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Want even more flavor and crunch? Throw in ½ cup salted roasted pistachios, sunflower seeds or toasted sliced almonds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (based on 4)Calories: 562calCarbohydrates: 62.5gProtein: 18.2gFat: 27.5gSaturated Fat: 6.1gFiber: 11.3gSugar: 5.4g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | P،tography by: Eat Love Eats


منبع: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/kale-couscous-salad/

تحریریه غذای هرمزگان