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.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Thanks for sharing this recipe! It looks delicious, and it sounds so healthy, too.
Jaime Nicole says
This looks so yummy! I love couscous, and wilted kale (or spinach) is one of my fave salads!
Jeanette says
I have tried and failed on making a couscous salad! This one looks AMAZING!! I will have to try again!
Kelli @ 3 Boys and a Dog says
We've just incorporated couscous into our family meal plans, it might take some time and slight of hands to pull in kale. But I would absolutely eat it!
Up Run for Life says
This looks like a great dish. I haven't heard of couscous before. I'll have to look into it more.
I also need to try kale and pomegranate seeds.
Esther | The Cuteness says
This looks so healthy and delicious, and the pics are so pretty! This would be perfect for meatless monday. Pinning!
Alli Smith says
I visited Israel a few years ago and I'll never forget that amazing experience. Your Couscous Kale Salad looks lovely and I like that it's a warm salad. I need to make this one ASAP - it's my kind of salad!
Rebecca Swenor says
We love kale and it has so many health benefits to it. I will have to try this couscous kale salad for sure. It is awesome that you can substitute the vinegar for lemon juice because I can't stand vinegar. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe.
Jenn says
This looks amazing. And so many health benefits, how can you pass that up. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Yum!
Kathy says
This salad looks really good. I'm always on the hunt for a new salad recipe. I'll have to give this one a try. Yum!