Limey Couscous, Black Bean & Veggie Salad - Great for New Parents

IndySpectator invited me to write a guide to bringing food to new parents which ran today. The article, "Bundles of Culinary Joy for New Parents", includes an image with a mix of homemade and store-bought treats for parents, including an amazing tomato sauce that Ben recently made with a Smitten Kitchen recipe (more on that later) and a couscous-black bean salad that I whipped together to make the photo a bit more complete. 

This salad is sturdy and healthy - made with whole wheat couscous, fiber-rich beans, veggies, a limey dressing and a bit of fresh cilantro to add a boost of flavor. This recipe could be refigured in a variety of ways - different beans, different vegetables, lemon in place of lime, basil in place of cilantro - to fit the taste of a new parent that you're delivering it to. Or your tastes, if you just want to make a simple salad that will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two. It also doubles beautifully.


Couscous Salad with Black Beans & Veggies - makes two side servings


Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole wheat couscous

• 1/2 cup boiling water

• 1 tsp olive oil

• pinch of crushed red pepper

• 1 carrot, cut in a small dice

• 1 small or 1/2 a medium zucchini, cut in a small dice

• salt & pepper

• 1/2 cup black beans - homemade or canned

• 1/2 lime, juiced and zested (zest first to make life easier)

• 2 tsp olive oil

• salt & pepper to taste

• 1/2 - 1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro (to taste)

• Optional: crumbled feta cheese

In a medium skillet (I used nonstick - you may need more oil if you're using a traditional pan), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add crushed red pepper, carrot and zucchini, cook until the vegetables are tender, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper while they cook. Add the black beans, stir and set aside to cool.

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice and zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Add to the cooked couscous, stir in the vegetables and cilantro, and add more salt and pepper if necessary. If desired, stir in the feta cheese. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

If you are delivering this to a new parent, please take a moment to label it with instructions for eating and proper storage advice. If you add the feta, you'll want to advise eating it more promptly.