Mediterranean Salad

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Sicilian Summer

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (108)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(108)

Cook Time:
10 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 30 min
Cook: 10 min
Total:: 1 hr 0 min

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1/4 cup
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (1-pound) box Israeli couscous (or any small pasta)
3 cups chicken stock
2 lemons, juiced
1 lemon, zested
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Directions

In a medium saucepan, warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the couscous and cook until toasted and lightly browned, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Carefully add the stock, and the juice of 1 lemon, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the couscous is tender, but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the couscous.

In a large bowl, toss the cooked couscous with the remaining olive oil, remaining lemon juice, zest, salt, and pepper and let cool.

Once the couscous is room temperature, add the fresh herbs, dried cranberries, and almonds. Toss to combine and serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Mediterranean Salad
Alyssa Silver Spring, MD 11-18-2009
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Awesome side
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I loved this dish. It was very lemony and very savory, while the cranberries added a nice sweet tang. I cooked the couscous... with a bay leaf, did not drain the couscous, and also added raisins and about twice the amount of nuts. Make sure you get a good toast on the couscous... it makes all the difference!Read more
recipe Mediterranean Salad
Maytal North Bethesda , MD 10-22-2009
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One of the best salads!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this salad for Rosh Hshana dinner a month ago and it was soooooooooo good! I had to fight with the guests not to eat... it before dinner.. it is crunchy, lemonyi, sweet and colorful! Great recipe!!! Thank you Giada for all your wonderful recipes!! Maytal Regev Mosli. Read more
recipe Mediterranean Salad
Dama san bruno, CA 10-01-2009
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Love love love love love this dish
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made this dish about 20 times, even made a triple batch for a mediterranean bbq I was hosting. Loved it every time. A... couple of cook's notes: If you cant find israeli couscous, try using Acini de Pepe (small circuluar pasta shape), or orzo. Better yet, try using "Harvest Grains" blend from Trader Joes. It is a blend of Israeli couscous, tricolor orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and quinoa. This gives it a more complex, nutty flavor and boosts the nutrition on the whole dish. Plus its tastes yummy and is very afordable. I tend to use a little extra cranberries and almonds if I've got them, b/c those cranberries are excellent in this. As far as the herbs, add them in gradually if you're worried they may be too strong. I love the recipe as it is, so I add the full amounts. Finally, a huge plus for this dish is its non-dairy, so you can make it the night before, and enjoy it room temp at a picnic or in a brown-bag lunch. Enjoy!Read more
recipe Mediterranean Salad
Tamara Fort Lauderdale, FL 09-27-2009
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Perfect!!!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this dish for the first time to bring to a dinner party and it was a big hit. Everyone loved it. I used a small... pasta instead of couscous and it was fabulous. I wouldn't change a thing about this recipe... PERFECT!!!!Read more
recipe Mediterranean Salad
Amy Short Hills, NJ 08-29-2009
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A huge hit of the party
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for a party and everyone raved about it! If your grocery store doesn't carry mint, substitute it for cilantro.... It's just as yummy.Read more
recipe Mediterranean Salad
Mel oakland, CA 08-25-2009
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Great Summer Dish!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I always find it interesting how people "Adjust" the recipe. Some suggestions are fantastic and others just sound gross! But... it's all about the tastebud, so that's not an insult to my other fellow reviewers. I typically try to keep the recipe as is, but i am allergic to almonds so I subsituted by toasting some pine nuts. A lot of Indian couscous recipes call for pine nuts and it works great in israeli couscous as well. Also, I had the pleasure of having an excellent israeli couscous a few weeks ago at a restaurant that had dill in it. I added 3 tablespons of minced dill and it really added to the fresh summer taste of this recipe. I find that you can't really go wrong in general with couscous and herbs. I had this with some lamb chops and was a happy girl!Read more