Does anybody else find it a little strange that salads are generally at their best when their creator has played a little loose and fast with the definition of the term? A salad is fairly stringently defined as something made with raw vegetables, though the Americans would have it that tuna mixed with mayonnaise should be described as a salad. Yet, there have been countless instances, this being one of them, where there is no better word to describe what one is eating. Perhaps the title of this recipe ought to be suffixed with the phrase, ‘for want of a better term’.
This may appear to be a rather simple salad and indeed it is, but rather a lot of deliberation was required to perfectly balance its flavours. When using whole spices one would usually, though not always, dry toast them in the pan before grinding them into a powder. However, this didn’t appear to me to be the best course of action, since doing so would have overpowered the other flavours. Indeed, the walnuts would have been rendered very nearly useless, confined to the lowly position of ‘crunch provider’. Such a cruel fate should not be pushed upon any ingredient, let alone the much-loved walnut. So, without further ado, please enjoy my ‘for want of a better term’ salad
Caraway and Cumin Couscous Salad
Serves 2
Ingredients:
• 100g couscous, giant if possible
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 tsp caraway seeds
• 2 handfuls of walnuts, roughly crushed
• A handful of chopped parsley
• A handful of chopped coriander
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Salt, pepper and olive oil
Method:
1. Toast the cumin and caraway seeds in a little olive oil until they begin to pop. Add the garlic before stirring in the cooked couscous. Fold in the walnuts, parsley and coriander before seasoning and drizzling with a little more olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice.
Cost: These sorts of very simple, quick meals tend to be extremely cheap and this one is no exception. The entire dish, which is surprisingly filling, should set one back no more than 60-70p.
60 replies on “Caraway and Cumin Couscous Salad”
Couscous is great to cook with, it will take on the flavors with it. The toasted seeds and fresh herbs will be great with this.
Yes, it is rather wonderful :D.
Sounds delicious – love the warm flavors.
Thanks! Yes, they were rather warming.
Couscous salad with caraway and cumin – done to perfection! Great to add walnuts! This looks fantastic!
Thanks! The walnuts add a great taste and fantastic crunch.
What’s wrong with tuna and mayonnaise? There is mayonnaise!
😉
Salad looks great, btw! I see you’re getting good use out of that pan!
Well… nothing… I hate tuna…it isn’t a salad though is it?! I love the pan and shall use it regularly 😀
This would be lovely also eaten fresh, and then there is no doubt you can call it a salad 😉
Well, no there couldn’t 😀
This looks like a lovely balance of flavours – would be delicious with bulgur wheat too.
Thanks! Yes, I was toying with using bulgur wheat.
I don’t use Carawy seeds enough, a good prompt, thank you!
No problem, they are such an underrated spice.
Couscous salad is one of my favourite creations! Yours looks wonderful 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Bleeding Jam Marbled Mudcake
It always makes such a good feast!
Oh, yum! I always forget about caraway seeds, but they’ve got such a good flavor, and cumin might be my favorite spice. Filing this recipe under stuff to try very soon!
They really are lovely – so warming and citrus. I hope you enjoy it.
I love caraway seeds, what an excellent and simple dish. Simple dishes are not always as simple as they look! c
They are so warming and delicious, almost citrusy in taste. Thanks, Cecilia.
Nice, Frugal! The table you photograph on is a lovely piece. It showcases your food so well.
Couscous is great for a fast meal. You can add just about anything to it.Thanks for sharing your version, delicious!
Thanks! Yes, I absolutely adore my table – couldn’t live without it. Indeed, I do hope you try it 🙂
Caraway and cumin sound like a great pair! I’ll definitely be trying this.
They are! I hope you do 🙂
looks delicious! I just love it when cumin seeds are added to a dish, whether salad or curry. it’s one of my favourite spices. what a way to zest up couscous. will try adding caraway next time too (:
Thanks! Me too. It is probably my favourite, but caraway is much undervalued.
I love these sorts of ad hoc salads (and I agree, there has to be a better word/phrase for them). They’re probably my favorite thing to cook and eat when I don’t have to please anyone else’s palate, meaning perfect for taking to work for lunch!
Awesome :D. I honestly don’t think there is a better description of them, at least, not one that’s so succinct. It’s so good to take lunch to work rather than buy it.
This is exactly the sort of lunch I would love.. simple, clean food, fresh spices.. Whatever you want to call it.. I call it enticing! xo Smidge
Fantastic! It was delicious, Smidge.
I would never have thought to combine those two spices….and I like! Would be wonderful using quinoa too!
They work wonderfully together, I promise. Yes quinoa or bulgur wheat!
Excellent photos, great recipe!
Thanks! I’m glad you like it.
Great recipe, and the photos are really good as well.
Thanks! I’m very glad you think so.
Looks amazing! I am going to try it tonight for dinner!
Thanks! I hope you like it.
Let me just say.. I LOVE THAT PAN. I just wanted to get that out before I told you how much I love your couscous recipe 🙂
I’m glad you do! Thanks, Kay.
seriously good salad there! and very envious of your lovely bowl.
Cheers
Marcus
Thanks, Marcus!
Now,
that is what I consider a salad!
W O W !!
Lovely.
Haha, thanks! I adore a couscous salad.
Always looking for good salads to take to the office for lunch. This one is now on the list!
Awesome, it’ll fulfil its requirements to perfection, I’m sure.
I haven’t had couscous in forever! Must get on that!
You must, it’s lovely!
This looks really lovely, so simply and I just love cous-cous. I think I should make this Saturday for myself since nobody at home share my love for cous-cous especially without meat.
Thanks for sharing.
I do too, it makes such a good salad. Give it a go 😀
love couscous, i must try it with your combination of spices! must say though that the bowl was the first thing that caught my eye, and seeing other commenters, i see i’m not the only one 😉 great pics!
Me too. Please do! I love that bowl 😀
I also LOVE that bowl! my definition of salad is definitely quite loose. Looks yummy!
Thanks, Raga! I love the bowl too – twas a bargain.
I like that you used caraway seed in this. I like the flavor so much, and have only ever used it in seed cake before (another lovely old-fashioned and overlooked treat, in my view).
I adore caraway – so delicious.
That looks absolutley amazing. I love cous cous and I’m always trying to think up different ways of using it in a salad. I wish I hadn’t read this an hour before lunchtime!
Mel
Thanks! Haha. I hope you enjoy it if you try it.
that looks sooo good!
thanks! It was very nice.