Yummy Couscous Recipe

This Herbal Cleanse continues to make dinners challenging. However, I came across this recipe that I think even my vegan friend could use if he didn't add the chicken. And, it was really good! I'll actually use this recipe again, even when we are not doing the cleanse thing.

So, here it is...

YUM - 4 1/2 stars - It's no peach cheesecake but it was flavorful. The combination of flavors makes it interesting. I was afraid that the orange flavor would be overpowering but, if anything, it could use more. And I didn't get tired of it before I finished, which is always good.

EASE - 4 stars - A good bit of prep work unless you buy the items already prepped for you.

HEALTH - 5 stars - Another one of them there health foods! (read that with a hick accent)

Orange-Scented Couscous Salad with Almonds, Cilantro, and Cucumber
(I'm not sure why it is called "Orange-Scented Couscous..." seeing as how it has orange juice in it I think they could have just called it "Orange Couscous...") :)

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients
1 cup orange juice, divided
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/3 cup prechopped red onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (I left this out because I can't have vinegar)
1 1/2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil (I thought about leaving this out or reducing it but I didn't)

Preparation
Combine 3/4 cup orange juice, water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, coriander, cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add couscous and cranberries. Cover and let stand 5 minutes; fluff with a fork. Transfer couscous mixture to a large bowl.

Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add nuts to pan; cook 3 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. Add nuts, chicken, and next 3 ingredients (through cilantro) to couscous; toss.

Combine remaining 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, lime juice, and mustard, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add oil to juice mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle juice mixture over couscous mixture, tossing to coat.

Nutritional Information
Calories:396 (24% from fat)
Fat:10.7g (sat 1.5g,mono 6.4g,poly 1.8g)
Protein:24.1g
Carbohydrate:49.7g
Fiber:4.1g
Cholesterol:45mg
Iron:1.4mg
Sodium:690mg
Calcium:58mg
David Bonom, Cooking Light, APRIL 2006