I don't always like fruit in savoury dishes, but the sweetness, tanginess, and added crunch of pomegranate seeds in middle-eastern style salads is a match made in heaven. This salad can be knocked up in minutes - the only cooking is quickly preparing the cous cous and blanching the green beans. Other than that, it's simply washing and chopping the vegetables. It's a great dish on it's own - full of different textures, colours, and flavours - or makes a perfect side dish to go with marinated tofu or some warm falafels. For a light, simple dish, it packs a load of protein, iron, fibre, and a whole range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Vegan Pomegranate and Pistachio Cous Cous Salad
Ingredients (serves 4):
300g wholegrain giant cous cous
250g cherry tomatoes, quartered
200g green beans, trimmed and halved
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cucumber, deseeded and diced
4 spring onions, finely chopped
8 radishes, finely sliced
Handful fresh parsley, chopped
Handful fresh basil, chopped
Seeds from 1 pomegranate
100g shelled pistachios
For the dressing
60ml olive oil
30ml white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp wholegrain mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Prepare the cous cous as per packet instructions. Drop the green beans in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, then rinse the cous cous and green beans under cold water to chill. In a large bowl, combine with the remaining ingredients (reserving some pomegranate seeds and pistachios to sprinkle over the top) and mix thoroughly. To make the dressing, tip all ingredients into a clean empty jam jar, screw lid on, and shake until oil has emulsified and become cloudy. Mix dressing in with the salad, then serve and top with remaining pomegranate seeds and pistachios.
Nutrition per serving:
Protein: 17.7g (Women: 35.4% / Men: 32.2%)
Iron: 5.6mg (Women: 37.8% / Men: 49.6%)
Calories: 630 (Women: 31.5% / Men: 25.2%)
Sugars: 11.4g (Women: 12.7% / Men: 9.5%)
Total Fats: 23.3g (Women: 33.3% / Men: 24.5%)
Saturated Fats: 3.2g (Women: 16.0% / Men: 10.7%)
Salt: 0.9g (Women: 15.0% / Men: 15.0%)
Fibre: 17.3g (Women: 57.7% / Men: 57.7%)
See the Nutrition Info page for more details on % of Dietary Reference Values for men and women.