This is a nice, refreshing salad that is deceptively hearty.  Soft Israeli couscous, chewy cranberries, crunchy cucumber, fresh mint, and tangy apple cider vinegar make this salad a tongue pleaser- loads of spinach make it incredibly nutritious. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/3 C. Israeli couscous (dry)
• 1 3/4 C.  Water (or veggie stock)
• 3- 4 T.  Apple cider vinegar (preferably Braggs)
• 1/4 tsp.  Celery seeds
• 1/2 tsp. Salt (or to taste)
• 3/4 C. Cucumber (chopped)
• 1/4 tsp. Oregano (fresh or dried)
• 4 C. Baby spinach (fresh)
• 3 T. Maple syrup
• 1/4 C.  Cranberries (dried)
• 2 T. Mint (fresh, chopped)
• 2 T. Parsley (Italian flat leaf)
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 T.  Walnuts (chopped)
• 1/8 tsp. Pepper (or to taste)

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium sized sauce pot, add couscous to a dry pan and turn heat to medium.  Toast the grain until golden and nutty- be mindful not to burn (I almost did because I was too busy multi-tasking).  This will take between 3 and 5 minutes.

When couscous is toasted, add water and bring to a boil.  Then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer with the lid on- about 12 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.  

It's a good time to make the dressing while the couscous is cooking....  In a small bowl, add vinegar, maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon salt, Dijon mustard, oregano, and celery seeds.  Mix the dressing with a wisk, so that the ingredients are fully incorporated.  Putting the dressing in a small mason jar and giving it a real good shake also does the job.  Add the cranberries to let them soften a bit. 

When  couscous is ready, take it off of the heat and set aside.  Chop the cucumber, mint, parsley, and walnuts and set aside as well.

Place spinach into the bottom of a large bowl.  

Now here, you can do a couple of things... either add half of the dressing to the spinach, toss and add the rest over the couscous or save all of the dressing to pour over the top of the finished product (usually what I do, but only because I'm lazy)...

Add the couscous to the top of the spinach- if the couscous is still warm, it will wilt the spinach a little, which is nice.

Arrange cucumber on top of couscous, add nuts, then pour all (or remaining) dressing on top. Sprinkle the herbs on top and remaining salt (if you like) to finish the salad off. Toss before serving, but not before everybody has seen how awesome your salad looks...

I hope you give this recipe a try and I hope that you love it...   What things do you love to throw in your salad???  Let me know in the comments below!

{ debbie }