A regular favorite for my husband and I is a raw kale salad with sesame vinaigrette dressing. We try to eat at least a little kale almost every day, but still keep it interesting and with exciting flavor combinations. One that is a new favorite of ours is a warm couscous kale salad. The Warm Couscous Kale Salad recipe is very easy to follow, quick to make and you can even refrigerate it and enjoy it the next day for lunch.
Please note that this recipe has a bit of acidity, so feel free to add some raisins into the recipe to balance it off with more sweetness. You can use fresh diced tomatoes or canned, just be sure to pick canned dice tomatoes without added sugar/salt or other unhealthy extras. For a non-vegan version, you may also add some freshly grated parmesan cheese during serving. The Pomegranate seeds might be the best part of this salad, as it's a rare instance where they play a supporting role. They give just enough pop in color, taste and texture to make the salad that much more interesting. The salad is truly balanced, with nuts, fruit, great veggies and couscous and in my humble opinion they all come together amazingly well.
Israeli Couscous Salad Recipe is another name that this salad may go by, and that is a completely accurate description. I had the great pleasure of going to Israel about fifteen years back and it is one of the most memorable places I've ever visited. Sites in Jerusalem and the Dead Sea are like nothing else, and the Israeli people from all backgrounds and walks of life were friendly towards me. The food in Israel is outstanding, with amazing varieties of falafel, Shawarma, and couscous dishes around every corner. Before going I didn't know that this desert area would have such great fruits and dairy, but they were all top notch. My dream is to someday visit that region of the world again, and go on a culinary/historical tour of Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.
📖 Recipe
Warm Couscous Kale Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Israeli couscous
- 4 cups Laminato kale, (remove stem)
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- ⅓ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- nuts ( I opted for roasted, unsalted cashews)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- dash of lemon pepper, ground
- dash of garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar or 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- fresh pomegranate seeds
- freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook couscous in a medium pot according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a medium pan or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium high.
- Add red onion, season with lemon pepper, garlic salt, cook and stir frequently then add kale and diced onion. Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add couscous into the pan then add red wine vinegar or lemon juice. Season with salt/pepper according to your taste
- Sprinkle with nuts and fresh pomegranate seeds
- You may serve the salad warm or cold.
Stephen Parry says
wow those images make me want to try it even more! This looks like the perfect lunchtime meal! So healthy, need to try this one out 🙂
Ricci says
Oh wow!! This salad looks amazing!! It's making me hungry and I just ate dinner...what a great way to get tons of veggies in!!
Stacey says
I love couscous but hate Kale, I wonder if I'd like it, I really want to like Kale!
Up Run for Life says
I haven't tried kale either. I am kinda afraid to try it too.
Tiffany @ Daily Leisure says
I'm not too found of warm salad, but this looks like it has a lot of good vegetables in it. I have only had kale in the oven, is the texture like spinach when it is prepared this way?
April Decheine says
Oh wow, that looks so delicious, I love Couscous, it is so good for you! Plus adding in Kale, makes it such a good meal.
Heather Pfingsten says
This looks fantastic. Couscous and kale are becoming two “must eat” products this year so I have a feeling I am going to have to introduce them to my family. I like that this is a warm salad… it looks delicious! I will give it a try and then try to get the family on board. 😉
Cole says
That looks delicious! I love how easy couscous is and versatile it can be, I never thought to add kale to it though!
John Lopez says
Wow you eat so healthy! These recipes are so awesome I need to get into the kale business!
Wildish Jess says
I'm not a fan of kale but this doesn't look half bad!
MP Pineda says
I do love salad, but this one is different! I think it's time to try this at home.