I learnt how to speed read when I was really young, and most times it has stood me in good stead when looking for a particular term or phrase in a sheaf of papers. But last week, my speed reading did not work out as planned. We got back from overseas on the 6th and I only came into the office on the 8th as the Wednesday was a public holiday for us so we could go and vote. I glanced at this month’s Daring Cooks’ challenge and saw we were tasked to make Maftoul, which I know as Israeli cous cous. I saw the words “Otam Ottolenghi” and “Jerusalem” and made the assumption that the recipe was in this book. I have only read brilliant things about the recipe book and I decided I would get myself a copy and use his recipe for the challenge. When I got to the book shop the following day, a young gentleman came to assist me and found the book for me. I gulped a bit at the price (R549) and as it was sealed I could not even look at the book. The shop assistant opened the book for me – they can do this and reseal the books! And lo and behold, the book only mentions maftoul and does not have a recipe for it. I decided to not buy the book, or even try and make the maftoul as by now I had run out of time. I will add this on to my list of challenges to complete, but despite not having done the first part of the challenge, I did do the second, which was to create a recipe. I made a cous cous salad with ingredients inspired by the tastes of the Middle East, and to go with it I made a lime and coriander dressing which is sublime!
Cous Cous Salad With A Lime And Coriander Dressing
Ingredients
for the salad
Method
for the salad
- Place the cous cous into a bowl. add the stock and a pinch of salt and stir with a fork
- Cover with cling film and set aside until cool
- Add the rest of the ingredients and season to taste
for the dressing
- Place all of the ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth
- Pour over the cous cous and mix in well
Notes
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
Blog-checking lines: The May Daring Cooks’ Challenge was hosted by the incomparable Sawsan from chef in disguise. Sawsan challenged us to try our hands (literally!) at making maftoul – hand-rolled Palestinian couscous that is as versatile as it is tasty!
What I blogged:
- one year ago – Grootbos
- three years ago – Friday’s Food Quiz
Hope you enjoyed your trip, and love this salad dressing, and your picture is stunning
Thank you Usha for the compliment. We loved our trip 🙂
Scrumptious salad Tandy – love your dressing – that would definitely be a huge hit with me.
Have a happy day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Thank you Mandy, it is a huge hit with me 🙂
This sounds absolutely delicious! My brother just sent me a copy of “Jerusalem” and I can’t wait to delve into it and start making delicious things. 🙂
You are so lucky! Enjoy it 🙂
That dressing sounds amazing, Tandy. I need to pick up some yoghurt today.
🙂 ela
Thank you Ela 🙂
Love the dressing, I can easily imagine how great it tastes! Couscous is really one of my summer favourites, I will happily copy yours and add some pomegranate arils next time. Thanks for the wonderful tips!
My pleasure, and enjoy!
This salad sounds so refreshing! i love that dressing!
Thank you Joanne 🙂
You always make the best salad dressings. I cannot wait to give this recipe a try. Yikes that was a tad expensive for a book but looking forward to reading some of your inspirations from your quick peak. Take Care, BAM
Thank you BAM! I did not take much of a peak but I might add it to my wish list 🙂
Hi Tandy, what a great recipe, love couscous and your dressing sounds divine. The daring cook’s challenge sounds like a fun group to be in.
You should join in Cheri, it is really challenging 🙂
Coriander is one of my favorites and I enjoy finding new ways to prepare it so thank you!
my pleasure!
It looks gorgeous Tandy. Shame you didn’t get a copy of the book in the UK, it is full of so many amazing recipes, I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Thanks Tanya, I will look out for the book when we travel later in the year 🙂
My daughters and I LOVE couscous salads. This one looks gorgeous and fresh and delicious. Will definitely give this one a try Tandy.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Lidia 🙂
Such a colorful Mediterranean dish perfect for a health buff like me! This is a beautiful photo, Tandy! Pics like this make food look sooo appetizing even before it touches your lips.
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Thank you for the compliment Julie. I loved this dressing so much I am going to make a variation again this weekend 🙂
I love how colourful the beautiful Mediterranean salad is! Delicious and I also a big fan of the dressing!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you Uru 🙂
That looks like a wonderfully versatile dressing Tandy! 😀
Thanks Lorraine, it made for a good meat tenderizer as well 🙂
I really need to make my own salad dressings more. You’ve certainly inspired me with this salad!
So glad to hear that Monet 🙂
I can’t resist that combination of lime and coriander – my guacamole consists only of this with the avocado and some salt. Jerusalem is a terrific book – maybe some kind person will buy it for you as a gift 🙂
I think I am going to have to add the book to my wish list!
Coriander dressing sounds so bright – yum!
Thank you!
This looks lovely and healthy, Tandy. 🙂
I think it tops the healthy list for sure AD 🙂
Hello Tandy,
I love that salad dressing! I need to give it a try soon.
I do hope you will have a chance to try making maftoul from scratch. I would love to hear what you think of it if you do
I will definitely try and make it – as soon as time is on my side. Thanks for a great challenge 🙂
This salad looks amazing- I love the flavours and the coriander dressing sounds divine! 🙂
Thank you Jess 🙂
This dressing is all kinds of heaven for me. I simply must make it.
Thanks for the compliment Sam! I made another version last night and it is divine 🙂
A lovely combo of fine ingredients! A while ago, I made a similar dressing but used coriander, orange juice, soy yoghurt & avocado together in a dressing & it was so delicious too so I know that your dresssing will be divine!! I would serve simple fresh grilled fish on the side here!
MMMMMMMM!
It would be perfect with fish Sophie 🙂