Currants, roasted peppers, chick-peas, olives, green onions and cilantro add color and flavor to this portable salad. To start, dip wedges of pita bread into store-bought hummus (a creamy puree of chick-peas and sesame paste, available at Middle Eastern markets). A slightly chilled Beaujolais or lemonade is a refreshing beverage choice.
Recipe information
Yield
Serves 8
Ingredients
4 1/2 cups water
3 cups (2 10-ounce boxes) couscous
1 cup dried currants
1 3-pound roasted chicken, skinned, boned, cut into bite-size pieces
1 1/2 cups diced drained roasted red bell peppers (from jar)
1 15 1/2-ounce can chick-peas (garbanzo beans), rinsed, drained
1 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Romaine lettuce leaves
Preparation
Step 1
Bring 4 1/2 cups water to boil in large saucepan. Add couscous and currants. Cover, remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Transfer to large bowl and cool.
Step 2
Mix all remaining salad ingredients into cooled couscous.
Step 3
Pour dressing over salad and toss. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.) Line large bowl with romaine. Add salad.
