Fall

Cous-Cous with Blue Cheese, Craisin and Pecans

January  4, 2010
4
1 Ratings
  • Serves 4-6 servings
Author Notes

This is one of our favorite summer salads for boat trips and cookouts. It was inspired by a similar cold cous-cous salad that I used to buy freshly made at our local farm stand on Martha's Vineyard. One day they were out of it so I decided to give it a go on my own! I make it ahead of time and bring it aboard in a cooler, or put it in a big bowl on a picnic table. I like that I don't have to worry about it spoiling in the heat because there is no mayo. Incidentally, this is an excellent salad to accompany fish (cooked whole or otherwise!) Or, as you can see above, sometimes we eat it on paper plates with our favorite all-beef hot dogs. —Kelsey Banfield

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 10 ounces plain cous cous
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup scallions, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Kosher salt to taste (about 2-3 pinches)
Directions
  1. Prepare cous-cous according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon zest and juice. Set aside.
  3. When cous-cous is ready pour it into a large bowl and fluff with a fork. Add craisins, blue cheese, scallions and pecans. Stir well until completely combined. Finally, add dressing and mix until salad is completely coated. Taste the salad and add 2-3 pinches of salt, or more. This salad can be served warm, at room temperature or chilled right out of the fridge. To store, it should be covered with plastic and placed in a fridge or cooler.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Food Blogga
    Food Blogga
  • Julia Alling
    Julia Alling
Home cook, food blogger, cookbook author, wine lover, avid traveler, and mother of two young children. Check out my books: The Naptime Chef: Fitting Great Food into Family Life (2012), and The Family Calendar Cookbook: From Birthdays to Bake Sales, Good Food to Carry You Through the Year (2015), Running Press.

2 Reviews

Julia A. March 17, 2010
Loved this cous cous. Actually, it was my first go at cous cous and this recipe is firmly a fan favorite! The blue cheese and the vinaigrette are terrific.
 
Food B. January 5, 2010
I love all of the assertive flavors in this dish, Kelsey, especially the blue cheese and cranberries.