Spring is upon us and summer is quickly approaching (at least in this hemisphere). Invitations to barbecues, graduation parties, bridal showers and picnics are already finding their way into the mailbox.
Fruit plates are nice contributions to gatherings but it’s always fun to bring something a little more unique. What I initially thought to be an odd combination of food and flavors, ended up having great taste and texture. Why didn’t I ever think of a Couscous Fruit Salad. The fruit and pasta complement each other nicely and the crunch of the sliced almonds add the perfect finishing touch.
This dish is different and will stand out like a shining star in a sea of buffet salads.
If you invite me to your house this summer, this is what I’m bringing.
Here’s what you will need: Couscous, shallot, sliced almonds, orange juice, olive oil, cider vinegar, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, orange, salt and pepper.
Prepare couscous according to package directions, toast 2 Tablespoons sliced almonds, rinse and slice 2 cups of sweet summer fruit.
Combine 2 Tablespoons each olive oil and orange juice, 1 Tablespoon cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons minced shallot and salt and pepper to taste with the couscous.
Right before serving add 2 cups of ripe fruit and 2 Tablespoons toasted sliced almonds to the couscous, toss gently.
I used blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and segments of orange. Raspberries and sliced grapes would be good too.
The fruit should be sweet, if it’s not, you could always add a Tablespoon of sugar to sweeten it up. However, do this right before serving when you add the fruit.
Serve at room temperature or chill the couscous a bit. Either way it’s a treat.
Couscous Fruit Salad
Adapted from Eating Well
2 cups couscous, cooked
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons orange juice
1 Tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons minced shallot
2 cups ripe summer fruit
2 Tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
Salt and pepper to taste
Prepare couscous according to package directions, toast 2 Tablespoons sliced almonds, rinse and slice 2 cups of sweet summer fruit.
Combine 2 Tablespoons each olive oil and orange juice, 1 Tablespoon cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons minced shallot and salt and pepper to taste with the couscous.
Right before serving add 2 cups of ripe fruit and 2 Tablespoons toasted sliced almonds to the couscous, toss gently. I used blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and segments of orange. Raspberries and sliced grapes would be good too. The fruit should be sweet, if it’s not, you could always add a Tablespoon of sugar to sweeten it up. However, do this right before serving when you add the fruit.
Serve at room temperature or chill the couscous a bit.
Diane says
Oh yes! That looks perfect for summer!
I’ve always liked couscous with sweet things – think hot couscous with mango chutney stirred in; sultanas in morrocan flavoured couscous!
deeba says
Heavenly salad or what have you Cathy…nam nam nam nam nam! You have an open invitation from me…cmon over!! I’d love to have a colourful guest like you over!
KathyB. says
I agree with Deeba….c’mon over and bring the salad and your choice of wine! Oh..you’ve given us the recipe and tips on wine selection just in case you can’t make it. Thanks Cathy! Yummy salad, that’s my cup of tea, or glass of wine!
Shawn says
I’ve never had couscous. I think that makes me a country bumpkin. (sigh)
Laura says
The first thing I thought when I saw that was…”You can do that?”
Love couscous…love those fruits.
I could bring that to a party and my my wouldn’t I be the fancy one.
Diaryofamadbathroom says
What a unique dish. I never would have dreamed of putting those things together but reading the recipe, I can almost taste it. I am going to try this on a hot summer day when my husband’s family are over. I can’t wait to see what my passel of conservative eaters think of this one. I am sure that I will be hailed as either a genius or a madwoman. Either way it will give them fuel to gossip about me for the next five or so years. No such thing as bad publicity, right? Thanks for the opportunity to shake things up.
gfe-gluten free easily says
Oh, that’s a beautiful fruit salad, Cathy. I can’t wait to share this with my support group today. We can’t do couscous, so we’ll substitute quinoa. We are always looking for new ways to use quinoa. 🙂
Thanks once again, Cathy!
Shirley
[email protected] Cutting Edge of Ordinary says
Looks amazing! What a great idea!
melissa says
What a neat fruit salad! I just printed the page out. It will look like a breathe of fresh air sitting in among other salads!
RobinSue says
This looks so refreshing and delish for the warmer weather coming my way!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
I love to make salads with couscous and a fruit salad is a fabulous idea! Gorgeous!
Barbie with a T says
What a great combination of flavors! This dish will get raves at our next gathering. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I hope to get the freshest and prettiest fruit for this one!! Your photos are excellent.
Liz C. says
I can’t wait to try this! Right now, blackberries are as cheap as they will ever get & so plentiful. As far as healthy goes, it doesn’t get any better than this….
Marlene says
I needed an idea for a salad that I could bring in to a work function…and here it is…you are always saving me or making me smile.
Steph says
I love couscous! It looks amazing served with fruit.
Melynda says
Beautiful presentation. I really enjoy reading your blog. As always, very nice.
Auds at Barking Mad says
I never would have thought of pairing couscous with fruit…I have enough trouble figuring out just WHAT to do with it in the first place. What an interesting idea. Just another one we’ll have to try this summer!
Jennifer says
I want to make this and eat it right now. 🙂
Fun House Jennifer says
Sounds delicious and looks so pretty too!
Trisha says
This is certainly an interesting dish!
dawn says
Wow, this is a beautiful salad. I love the idea of the pasta and fruit together, it’s creative a nice change to the same fruit salad we all put together. You have a talent for picking out the right recipes.
Starwoodgal says
Oh YUM! I’ve been looking for a fruit salad for my daughter’s graduation party. Thanks so much!
Spinach Tiger says
Now that is a fantastic idea. I make a toasted quinoa. MInd if I steal your idea and do it with quinoa for a gluten free very unusual dessert.
Maureen says
Beautiful photo presentation! Sounds delicious.
dawn says
never seen couscous this way, but I really like it as it definitely adds texture to the fruit salad (which I love)
kristy - wheres my damn answer says
Now that is an interesting combo. I’ve been intrigued by couscous but with fruit? It might be something I have to try. I trust you so if you say it’s good, then it’ll go on my “to try” list.
Flea says
I’m inviting you to my house this summer. 🙂
Bellini Valli says
This is an amazing salad Cathy. Consider yourself invited to my place, but we would all haver to sit on my tiny deck:D
LilSis says
What a great idea! That is a beautiful salad. I never would have thought to combine couscous with fruit. You’ve got an open invite to my house!
Kayola says
This looks so good…love fruit so much…haven’t tried cous cous but have wanted to…I think I’ll give it a go…thanks for always giving us such great recipe’s.
Jeff says
I never thought of using couscous for a fruit salad.
Show up with this and I will even cough up the precious pig cheeks which are fought over to you.
Elizabeth says
I had never thought of couscous with fruits. It looks so tasty!
Pam says
This is beautiful. It’s light, healthy and so full of great flavors. YUM!
Alisa says
You’re invited!
The kids are loving couscous right now, what perfect timing you always have. If I wasn’t stalking you, I’d think you were stalking me.
Can’t wait for you to get here, but mostly I can’t wait for that salad.
Asthmagirl says
Hmmm, Love fruit. Love Couscous. Never thought of combining them. I think with the nuts, it might be quite good! Thanks!
grace says
what a delightful combination! sweet fruit, grainy couscous, cruncy nuts, tart citrus–it does indeed have it all! fabulous recipe, cathy, and your picture are glorious.
Bob says
I never would have thought of that, sounds great! Even my girlfriend wants to try it and she isn’t a couscous fan.
Blond Duck says
That looks really fun!
Elyse says
This couscous fruit salad looks amazing. Light yet filling. How perfect! I’ve never really paired couscous with anything sweet before, and I can’t wait to try it in this manner!
Katrina says
LOVE this kind of salad (although I’d totally leave the shallots out and have it with no “savory”.) Looks awesome!
Rachel (S[d]OC) says
That’s a very cool idea. Couscous is great iwth fruity flavors, so why not combine with fresh fruit salad.
Now I have to come up with a reason to invite you over…
The Duo Dishes says
Definitely never would’ve occured to try a sweet fruit version of couscous. Great idea!!
Lori E says
Once again Vancouver area, Canada says Welcome. Bring your salad and drop by. I never would have thought of that combination. It looks delicious.
Marjie says
I have never even had couscous. If you bring this, I’ll make maple walnut ice cream for you.
Sandie says
I’m inviting you over to my house this summer, just so you’ll bring this delightful salad!
Wendy says
Man does that ever look good. I will be making this soon!
Sara says
Wow! I would have never thought to put these items together! I love creative food!
elra says
Wow,
I never made sweet couscous before, only the savory one. How delicious.
Cheers,
elra
Paige says
That’s genius! I never would have thought of that. I have to try it.
Lynda says
This looks soooooo good and healthy! A great fruit dish!
Dallas from Bitchin' Lifestyle says
Like other, I have never seen couscous in a sweet dish. So very creative of you. I love how it looks with the bright, gorgeous fruit.
imom says
All that fresh fruit looks so yummy!
Bunny says
Ths is a first for me, I’ve never seen a recipe like this. I would definetly take this to a bbq!
Claudia says
What a gorgeous fruit salad! Perfect for occasions – or anywhere…. I see me making this in the near future. Luscious.
ashley says
that girl down south says
ooooh goodness! That looks exactly what I was craving but didn’t know I was craving yet…. Darn, gotta go buy some couscous tomorrow!
Raina says
Cathy,
I have a question…Do you make or have fabulous recipes for desserts that do not include nuts? My son has a fatal nut allergy and although I love them as well as my two girls, nuts are banned from our house. We anxiously await your email with the latest picture of yummy desserts and he always says “Mom that looks so good but I can’t have it can I” I always tell him we will make it without nuts but he just shrugs and says okay but it is supposed to have them and feels bad that we don’t eat it with nuts…He is little and does not understand. I was just wondering if you have a recipe with the pics and all that you can show to do, he would be over the moon if he knew we could make one of your desserts as described…I know you get a million messages and cannot possibly read them all but I thought I would ask for him.
Have a wonderful day!!!
DrZibbs says
Great pics!
Dragon says
What a gorgeous fruit salad!
Sara says
This looks so delicious. And you’re right, it definitely stands out from the crowd!
Cheryl says
Couscous and fruit? Who ‘da thunk it, but it sounds (and looks) delicious.
(And a belated I’m with ya on the inappropriate questions asked at the Miss USA pageant. Why not just have a brunette judge asking a blonde contestant “Do you really think blondes have more fun?” Too personal…)
LaskiGal says
And now I know exactly what to do with my couscous . . .
megan says
I love this salad. It’s so pretty and I love that it is different. Something people wouldn’t expect. A must try!
Laura says
I literally count the days until berry season. This looks terrific.
Julie says
I’ve never had couscous with sweet stuff..looks divine 🙂
threeundertwo says
I put veggies in couscous all the time – why didn’t I think of fruit? Looks like a great summer salad.
Kaitlyn says
Your pictures are so pretty. Put you as a recommended read on my blog. This recipe sounds really interesting, i’ll have to try it sometime soon.
Also, is the title of this entry a nod to Stephen Sondheim? If so, you’re even more amazing than I thought.
Hilary says
Hi Cathy .. I thought perhaps you were going to give us a sweet couscous fruit salad .. that too would be different ..
Looks delicious though ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters
Daily Spud says
Well, I almost always put apricots and walnuts in my savoury couscous salads, so why not a full-blown couscous fruit salad. Sounds good to me!
Deelish Dish says
Wow! Looks absolutely delicious. A perfect dish for spring!
katie says
OMG Cathy this looks amazing!!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
I never think of couscous as a dessert, but of course it makes perfect sense. After all, people eat rice pudding for dessert, or tapioca. This will be great during berry season here, later in the summer.
jennielynn says
This would be so good with grilled tenderloin! I can’t wait to try it.
sandi @ the whistlestop cafe says
This looks great!
wha an interesting combination. I will have to give it a try.
Jim says
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