Warm Spinach, Tomato and Couscous Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

A healthy alternative to a green salad - couscous with fresh wilted spinach and tomatoes and a dazzling cilantro lime dressing - made with fresh lime juice, cilantro paste and honey for sweetness!

Among the grain-based products couscous is considered the healthiest loaded with niacin, vitamin B6, folate and riboflavin along with thiamine and pantothenic acid.  Couscous has a 1 percent fat-to-calorie ratio.  When you compare that to white rice (3%), pasta (5%) and rice pilaf (11%) it is no wonder why couscous is used more frequently in calorie-saving meals.


In this recipe I used Pearl Couscous - larger pasta pearls than the traditional couscous. Adding lime juice, olive oil, garlic powder and dried parsley while cooking, the flavor of the couscous is enhanced. Immediately after cooking I add my fresh spinach which wilts nicely and forms a perfect union into the couscous. Then I add my fresh grape tomatoes and my cilantro lime dressing. 

Cilantro - Lime Dressing

1/4 c. olive oil

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1- 1/2 tablespoons cilantro paste

1- 1/4 teaspoons honey

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Combine all ingredients in small bowl.  Whisk thoroughly.  Set aside.

Warm Spinach, Tomato and Couscous Salad

1 package couscous (yield 2 cups)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

1 teaspoon dried parsley, crushed

1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves, cut in thin strips

1/3 cup grape tomatoes, sliced 

Prepare couscous according to package directions and add the following ingredients while cooking:  olive oil, garlic powder, lime juice and dried parsley.

Once couscous is cooked, add fresh spinach strips. 

Gently stir spinach leaves into couscous.  Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes.

Combine sliced tomatoes in with mixture and stir once again.

Pour Cilantro Lime Dressing over couscous mixture and stir gently just to combine.  Serve warm.  Serves 4.