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Lemony Couscous Lentil Salad | Magnolia Days

Lemony Couscous Lentil Salad

Lemony Couscous Lentil Salad has bell pepper, red onion, fresh thyme, and tossed with tangy lemon dressing. It goes splendidly with ham.
Course Salad
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Renee Dobbs

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove chopped
  • 2 teaspoons minced shallot
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

For the salad:

  • 3 cups water divided
  • 1 cup lentils brown or green - Umbrian recommended
  • 1/2 cup pearl couscous Israeli
  • 1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 6 tablespoons lemon dressing

Instructions

For the dressing:

  1. Add lemon juice, garlic, shallot, lemon zest, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend until combined.
  2. With the blender on low, slowly pour in olive oil.

For the salad:

  1. Add 2 cups water and lentils to a medium saucepan. Bring to a fast simmer then reduce heat to low. Cook, loosely covered, until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.
  2. Add 1 cup water and couscous to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until done, about 10 minutes (or as per package instructions). Drain if needed.
  3. Add cooked lentils, couscous, and remaining salad ingredients to a large bowl. Toss to combine. Taste and add more dressing or seasonings as desired or to taste.
  4. Salad can be served immediately warm, at room temperature, or chilled for serving later. If chilled, allow to set at room temperature at least 30 minutes prior to serving.
  5. Store any remaining dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a separate use. Bring to room temperature and shake to re-combine prior to using.

Recipe Notes

Lemony Couscous Lentil Salad has bell pepper, red onion, fresh thyme, and tossed with tangy lemon dressing. It goes splendidly with ham.