Saturday, October 1, 2011

Sweet Couscous and Apple Salad

Last month, I had participated in the '#ricelove' blog hop and it was fun. This time, I decided not only to join in the fun but to host it here so that you can all be part of the fun too. I had to make something with apples. My mind raced all over from obvious cakes, muffins, breads and pie recipes. I thought let me make something that doesn't involve baking this time and here is a salad which is healthy since it doesn't have any fat in it at all except for few calories from the nuts and coconut that I used. It does have sugar though which, can be reduced for a low sugar version.
One year back - Sweet Milk Rolls/Buns, Cake Decorating Basics - Part 7
Ingredients:
Israeli Couscous - 1 cup
Water - 1 1/4 cup (Or as per suggestion on the package)
Sugar - 1/4 - 1/2 cup (I used 1/2 cups since it was more of a dessert)
Cinnamon stick - 1 (1/2")
Cloves - 4 
Golden Raisins - 1/2 cup
Apples - 3 (I used two ginger gold and 1 gala)
Lemon juice - 1 TBSP
Sweetened dried cranberries - 1/2 cup (Or your favorite dried fruit)
Sweetened Shredded Coconut - 1/2 cup (optional)
Pecans - 1/4 cup

Dressing:
Orange juice - 2 TBSP
Maple syrup - 2 TBSP
Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp
Cardamom - 1/4 tsp (optional)
nutmeg - a pinch
Method:
Take 1 1/4 cup of water mixed with 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick and whole cloves to it and bring it to a boil. When it starts boiling, add couscous, golden raisins and stir. Let it come back to a boil and then simmer it covered for 8 - 10 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the couscous is tender. Set aside to cool.
Keep a bowl of water to which 1 TBSP of lemon juice is added ready. Core and chop apples to bite sized pieces. I didn't peel the skin, you could if you want to. Place all the apple pieces in the water to avoid discoloration. 
In a skillet, take pecans and toast till nice smell comes. About 4 - 5 minutes. Let it cool. When all the cooked ingredients are at room temperature, start assembling the salad. 
Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients mentioned in the 'Dressing' section. Chop toasted pecans coarsely reserving few as whole for garnish. Take the cooled couscous in a serving platter. Add dried cranberries, drained apples, chopped pecans, coconut. Mix well and pour the dressing all over and mix once again. Garnish with the set aside pecans and serve immediately or refrigerate till serving time.
October is #applelove month
Please join in on the #applelove fun by linking up any apple recipe from the month of October 2011.  Don't forget to link back to this post, so that your readers know to come stop by the #applelove event. The twitter hashtag is #applelove.

Co-Hosted by:
Baker Street 
Bloc de recetas
Bon a croquer  
CafeTerraBlog  
Cake Duchess
Elephant Eats 
Hobby And More
Knitstamatic 
Mike's Baking
Mis Pensamientos

Queen's Notebook
Simply Reem
Skip to Malou
Teaspoon of Spice
The Daily Palette  
The Spicy RD 
Vegan Miam  
Versatile Vegetarian Kitchen

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21 comments:

  1. oh wow, i love the couscous and apple combo here. i'm all about "light, oil free" salads. this looks wonderful, champa! welcome to the #applelove bloghop party as a host! :D

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  2. I too love the apple with the couscous - what a great and unique combo - such pretty pictures too!

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  3. lovely salad champa.. a great combination of heart healthy ingredients..makes it quite a guilt free dessert! Welcome to #applelove

    Richa @ Hobby And More Food Blog

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  4. this is a refreshing salad. never had it before but i would imagine the flavors bursting in every bite.
    Glad to join this blog hop wih you and great meeting you!
    happy weekend!
    malou

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  5. Yum, apples and couscous. A nice refreshing salad.

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  6. This is a very nice, plus intricate looking apple salad! These Israeli cous cous are to die for though! I love golden raisins as well, they use them often here in Kuala Lumpur where I'm travelling now.

    Well done, you!

    xxx Rika

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  7. Love this salad, perfect combo, yumm!
    Thank you Champa for your compliments in my blog, it's not soft light box, I use only natural light for all my pics :)

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  8. Very nice event! :) I am a true fan of apples! Will have to think of something! :)
    -
    Kavi | Edible Entertainment

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  9. Never tried couscous and apples! Your salad looks delicious!

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  10. Very inviting dish,never combined couscous and apple this way..

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  11. Looks delicious and creative!

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  12. What an innovative salad......Love it.

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  13. Yummy salad... I love all the ingredientes and it is fat free so it's perfect! Kisses from Spain!

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  14. Wow, a new idea for Apples...add some to the couscous! How delish is that! Glad to cook along with you on this BlogHop!

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  15. I've been wanting to cook with Israeli couscous, and I think you just really inspired me to do it. Thanks for sharing this and for celebrating #AppleLove!

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  16. Beautiful salad, although I think I would love it for breakfast! I want to try this with quinoa since I don't eat gluten. The dressing sounds super yummy too! Happy to participate with you in #applelvoe :-)

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  17. What a gorgeous salad, and a beautiful mix of flavors! I am a big fan of cardamom, so perfect in this salad:-) Hugs, Terra

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