Couscous, Sweet Potato & Sweet Onion Apple Salad

Name: Couscous, Sweet Potato & Sweet Onion Apple Salad
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Yield: 2-3
Cuisine: American

Tangy, savory, and deliciously complex, our Sweet Onion Apple Salad Kit uses a handful of ingredients to create an elegant salad with the perfect blend of crunchy and soft textures. But with just a few more ingredients, you can elevate the kit to a simple yet satisfying vegetarian dish you can enjoy any time of day. It starts with tender spring mix, juicy apple pieces, dried cranberries, candied pecans, and Sweet Onion Vinaigrette. All you need is a few small sweet potatoes and cooked pearl couscous. Go ahead and get your water boiling — this won’t take you very long at all. And you’re going to love the tasty results.

Total TIME:
40 minutes

SERVINGS:
2-3

Ingredients

1 Taylor Farms Sweet Onion Apple Salad Kit
1 cup pearled couscous or quinoa
¼ red onion, sliced thin
¼ cup cranberries
2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
Olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Spread them out in a single layer and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
While the sweet potatoes are baking, cook the couscous or quinoa according to the package instructions. Typically, bring 1 cup of water or broth to a boil, add couscous or quinoa, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let it cool. (Stir several times while it’s cooling to release more heat.)
In a large bowl, assemble the Sweet Onion Apple Salad Kit. Add the cooked and cooled couscous or quinoa and the roasted sweet potato cubes.
Top with the sliced red onion and the cranberries. Dress with the vinaigrette provided in the salad kit. Gently toss the salad until everything is well coated with the dressing.
Divide the salad into bowls or plates. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Pearls of Wisdom: Couscous Edition

For many, couscous definitely falls into the category of “I kind of know what this food is, but I know nothing about it.” Well, let’s fix that and take a moment to get to know this glorious grain!

Couscous is an extremely versatile grain dish that brings a taste of North Africa to your table. Made from steamed semolina wheat granules, it’s light and fluffy, making it a perfect base for a huge range of dishes. The preparation process involves rolling and coating moistened semolina wheat with flour to form tiny granules, which are then steamed to perfection.

But this recipe calls for pearl couscous, which is a little different from the traditional version. It has larger, round granules made from toasted semolina or wheat flour, and has a unique, chewy texture. It is typically boiled like pasta.

Looking to spice up your couscous game? Try using it as a base for hearty grain bowls with roasted vegetables and a drizzle of tahini dressing. Stuff bell peppers with couscous mixed with herbs and feta for a delicious, texture-rich dish. Serve it with slices of roasted squash on a large platter like this Pearl Couscous & Delicata Squash recipe. Or for a sweet treat, create a couscous pudding with dried fruits, nuts, and a touch of honey!