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Herbed Couscous Salad With Apricots


Active Work and Preparation Time: 20 minutes


Couscous is usually prepared by adding boiling water, but in this main-dish salad, you can skip that step. I found that combining couscous with cool or tepid water achieves better results.

The couscous needs to stand a little longer--between 15 and 20 minutes, compared with just a few minutes when using hot water. But the grains will separate and be firm, not clumped or soggy, the perfect texture for a refreshing salad.

For protein, I've added tofu, which blends in subtly with the other ingredients. Be sure to drain it before using.

Serve this with iced tea and wedges of soft pita bread with plain yogurt for dipping.

    2 cups couscous, preferably whole-wheat

    2 cups cool or tepid water

    1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil

    2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

    2 teaspoons rice vinegar

    2 teaspoons curry powder

    Salt, pepper

    1/2 cup chopped cilantro

    1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

    4 green onions, chopped

    1/2 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped

    6 apricots, halved and pitted, then cut into bite-sized pieces

    8 ounces firm tofu, drained, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

    1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice


Place the couscous in a large bowl. Add the water and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, stir once, cover and let sit.

Meanwhile, pour the balsamic and rice vinegars into a small bowl and slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup of olive oil, whisking constantly. Whisk in the curry powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.

Once the couscous has been rehydrated, about 16 to 18 minutes, fluff with a fork and add the dressing. Add the cilantro, basil, green onions and most of the pistachios, reserving a few for garnish. Add the apricots and mix well but gently so as not to crush them. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Gently stir in the tofu. Drizzle the salad with the lime juice to taste. Garnish with the reserved pistachios.

6 servings. Each serving: 349 calories; 118 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 27 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams protein; 2.98 grams fiber.

SHOPPING LIST

    Apricots

    Basil

    Cilantro

    Couscous

    Green onions

    Pistachios

    Pita bread

    Tofu

    Plain yogurt


COUNTDOWN

20 minutes before: Add water to couscous, stir and cover. Drain tofu.

15 minutes before: Make dressing. Chop herbs, green onions and pistachios.

10 minutes before: Pit and quarter apricots. Cut up tofu.

5 minutes before: Combine salad ingredients.

--DANAE CAMPBELL, Special to The Times