Mediterranean couscous and lentil salad
Delicious couscous salad with puy lentils
I can feel myself slipping.. Slipping into the muddy waters of the overweight and out of control people… Slipping because… well, because food is just too damn tasty… and I have little to no self-control. A pretty cupcake makes me drool, when I see a gorgeous photo of a tiramisu I want to make it too and yes, I even start to have serious cravings when I see a pretty salad. And I am weak… So weak… If you’ve paid any attention to the little weight counter on the right you’d already noticed it went from -10 pounds to -7 pounds. A clearer sign you could not get!
I found out I gain weight when I’m really busy. No time to eat properly so I snack. I come home and don’t feel like cooking, so I make bad choices. As soon as things quiet down a bit I become a better me again. But then last night we signed the contract for our new kitchen, plus Tom and I were having our 20th anniversary (and no, we’re not married..) so a celebration was in order. And in our household, a celebration means wine.. Lots of wine. You get the picture!
I guess it’s the continuing story of our life; ups and downs.. 
But enough faffing around, time to get back on track again. And join the ranks of ..slightly less obese people.. I’ll get there. It might take some time, but in the meantime, I get to share these gorgeous salads with you. This one takes a bit of effort. It’s not done within half an hour, so there is some planning needed in order to get the best results, but if you take that time you will not be disappointed. It features very healthy ingredients such as puy lentils and couscous, tomatoes and arugula so what’s not to like? In the meantime; I do need some buttkicking done, please…
Mediterranean couscous and lentil salad
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 cup puy lentils
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup Couscous
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove (large, minced and mashed into a paste with 1/4 tsp salt)
- 1/2 cup fresh mint (finely chopped)
- 1 bunch arugula (rocket) (stems discarded and leaves washed well, spun dry and chopped)
- 2 cups vine ripened cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4lb feta (crumbled)
Directions:
In a small saucepan simmer lentils in water to cover by 2 inches until tender but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes, and drain well. Transfer hot lentils to a bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Cool lentils completely, stirring occasionally.
In a saucepan bring water to a boil and add couscous and salt. Remove pan from heat and let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon oil and cool completely, stirring occasionally.
In a small bowl whisk together garlic paste, remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir lentils and dressing into couscous. Chill salad, covered, at least 3 hours and up to 24.
Just before serving, stir in remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
Recipe from Epicurious
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
We love CousCous around here..hot or cold and I never tire of it because you can mix it up it’s so many different flavours . Twenty years is awesome Simone. Congrats to you both. The Chef andi are married twelve years and together sixteen. Married or not – twenty years is quite the commitment to each other.
Can’t wait to see our new kitchen in action xx
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 7th, 2012 at 11:18
O but sixteen is pretty awesome too and yes I agree that it doesn’t make any difference if you’re married or not! They’re coming this afternoon to measure the kitchen so I can’t wait for the results!
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That is a gorgeous salad! I love eating but prefer to eat less during the week so that I can indulge during the weekend. ;-P
Cheers,
Rosa
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Rosa — February 7th, 2012 at 11:56
Congrats on your 20th anniversary! That is awesome.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 7th, 2012 at 12:55
That’s a good strategy to follow Rosa. For me it becomes a bit harder when I’m shooting delicious sweets (such as will be the case tomorrow..sigh) but I’ll restrain myself! And thanks for the congrats!
Getting back on track is important and knowing how to prepare healthy foods goes with it. =) Congratulations on your 2oth anniversary! =)
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 7th, 2012 at 21:38
Thanks so much Raquel!
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That’s the story of my life, too. I can’t stop eating! However, I try not to miss the gym. I workout hard so I can eat hard… LOL Pretty salad! I know you can get back to 10 pounds very soon
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 7th, 2012 at 21:41
I should not be missing the gym but the reality is that I do way way too often. You’re an example to me! I should get back exercising so I can indulge once in a while.. Sounds like a plan to me!
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Looks stunning and sounds delicious! Seeing a lot of Arugula in recipes recently. Need to pick up a batch this weekend!
Thanks for sharing, eRecipecards.com
Dave
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 7th, 2012 at 21:42
Thanks Dave. Arugula is quite common here year round and I love the nutty flavor of it so I use it as often as I can!
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I like your attitude! (That word “faffing” is a lovely one, but I always thought it had a “p” up front – like “pfaffing”…?).
Congrats on the 20th anniversary, BTW.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 7th, 2012 at 21:43
O lol… thanks for the correction Mark. I honestly had no idea how it was supposed to be written. That’s what you sometimes get when English is not your mother tongue…
But I’ll correct it straight away!
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That is a pretty salad, and actually I have all the ingredients to make it except the tomatoes!
It depends on when I get my lunch if I snack when I get home. If an early lunch I try to eat an apple or handfull of almonds late in the afternoon. It keeps me from eating eveything in sight when I get home.
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 7th, 2012 at 21:44
It’s also critical that I eat breakfast or it will definitely go wrong later in the day!
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Hmm.
love lentils
love couscous
love feta
I think I’ll love this salad!
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I can use a few good salad recipes here…I love arugula! Thanks for sharing.
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happy happy happy anniversary, Simone and Tom! To many more years of ♥.
the salad looks fantastic. I would love a bowl for lunch tomorrow. thank you
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What a gorgeous salad! I love the toppings especially and the lentils! Happy Anniversary!
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Happy Anniversary Simone and Tom! And don’t be so hard on yourself regarding a little weight increase! Love the salad as it combines two of mt favourite ingredients-cous cous and lentils.
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I totally understand, eating healthy, working out, and juggling life can be a challenge. Life is crazy at times, but at least we are happy, healthy, and surrounded by yummy food, like this gorgeous salad! My hubby and I both think it looks amazing! Hugs, Terra
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Ahhh..naturally lit and beautiful, not to mention, colorful, healthy and undoubtedly filling and scrumptious! I love the conbo of lentils and couscous with mint!
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 19:04
Looks much better doesn’t it.. ?
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Oh I love these shots – the happy, vibrant colours! love the ingredients too – all of my favourite flavours. Congrats 20 years (we’ve been together 12 now…) and urrrrgh, I hear you on the weight loss. There is just too much temptation all around us, especially as food bloggers! But well done so far and good luck with reaching your target…
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Simone (junglefrog) — February 9th, 2012 at 18:56
Thanks Jeanne! I just have to kick myself and get back into full swing!
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