Category: Salads

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Mediterranean Couscous1

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

This salad is just that. Simple yet flavorful. Hearty yet sophisticated. Perfect lunch/dinner for those lazy, laid back days. Even better when you have only 15-20 minutes to put up a dinner and have scarce produce in your pantry. You just need couscous and throw in as many or as less veggies you have and you’re all set!

You know I’m a sucker for those lazy, quick recipes and this one here ticks all the boxes for me. And ignore my reflection in a spoon in a pic below.. Thank you! 😛

Mediterranean Couscous2

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Serves: 2 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup couscous (I used Barilla Cous Cous)
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, finely chopped or 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small English cucumber, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp sliced black olives (If using canned, drain and wash)
  • 2 Tbsp grated cottage cheese (can be substituted with Feta)
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

For dressing:

  • 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Make couscous according to the package instruction. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and fluff with a fork. Add onion, tomato, cucumber, olives, cottage cheese and cilantro.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for dressing. Season it with salt and pepper.
  3. Pour the dressing over the couscous salad and toss until well combined. Adjust the seasoning and serve.

*This salad can be made in advance and will keep fresh in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
*You can make this salad vegan by replacing cottage cheese with tofu or simply omit it.

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Simple Summer Mac Salad with Tomato & Zucchini

Summer mac salad1

I love pasta in any and every form. Be it a hot or cold preparation. It’s my favorite at dinner time as it is pretty quick to put together and simple.

Especially this salad… It is perfect for summer nights when you are craving something light and refreshing! I particularly loath anything heavy for dinner… So this one ticks all the boxes for me! 🙂

I love this one so much that it’s been prepared 3 times already in my house! It was much appreciated by our guests too! Its an apt side-dish at any elaborate lunch or dinner parties and a must accompaniment for picnics! I hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

Summer mac salad2

Simple Summer Mac Salad with Tomato & Zucchini

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 150 grams uncooked elbows
  • 200 grams grape/cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small zucchini, sliced and quartered
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 4 Tbsp eggless mayonnaise (American Garden’s)
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider/red wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp yogurt
  •  2 tsp mustard (optional)
  • ¼ tsp oregano
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta in generously salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine onions, mayonnaise, vinegar, yogurt, mustard, oregano, garlic powder, basil leaves; mix well.
  3. Add tomatoes (and any juice from the tomato), zucchini, pasta, salt and pepper to taste, toss well and place in a large bowl.
  4. Serve immediately or keep in fridge till the serving time.

Enjoy chilled with a glass of your favorite mocktail or cocktail! 🙂

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Baby Potato Salad with Apples & Chives

Hello everyone!

I was am quite excited and nervous to be writing this first post for my beloved blog and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. You should know that I have written and re-written this post about zillion times.. sigh!!

As I said already it is my first post, it is but obvious that hundreds of recipes were racing through my mind to give my blog a grand inauguration I think it deserves! 🙂

After thinking about it for over a day (which seemed like forever!!!), I told my brain to ‘keep it simple, silly!’ 😉

So here I make a humble entrance into blogging world by posting this beautiful summer salad using baby potatoes and apples.

Potato Salad with Apples & Chives2
A perfect side to any elaborate meal/ backyard BBQ/ picnic

Apples add a sweet crunch to every bite of this refreshing potato salad.

You can easily double the recipe if serving a larger crowd.

I hope you enjoy! 🙂

Baby Potato Salad with Apples & Chives

Servings: 5

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup baby potatoes, cut in quarters
  • 2 Tbsp minced celery
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 gala apple, peeled and diced into half inch cubes
  • 2 Tbsp minced chives
  • 1 tsp mustard (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider / red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp eggless lite mayonnaise (I used American Garden’s)
  • salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Boil potatoes in salted water until soft, approx 10-14 minutes, or until soft if pierced with a fork. Drain and let cool.

While potatoes are boiling, combine onion, celery, mustard, olive oil, vinegar and mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper. Mix and let the flavors marinade while the potatoes cook. Once the potatoes are done and cool, mix into the bowl and add chives and apples, additional salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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