The couscous goes into the vinaigrette while it is still slightly warm so it absorbs the dressing rather than simply being coated by it. The vinaigrette is built around maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and jalapeño jelly, which adds a gentle heat that runs through the whole bowl without announcing itself. The apricots grill cut-side down for one to two minutes per side, just long enough to soften slightly and pick up the char, then go in whole rather than being stirred through so each slice stays intact.
Goat cheese crumbled over the top at the end is the ingredient that ties the sweet fruit, the bitter arugula, and the spiced vinaigrette together. This is a seasonal salad, apricots have a short window and are worth using well while they are here. Served as a side alongside grilled chicken or fish, it makes a full meal for two with very little effort beyond the grilling.
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Key Ingredients in This Recipe
You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.
FOR THE SALAD
- Apricots – can be replaced by peaches.
- Arugula – spinach will also work.
- Strawberries – other berries, like blackberries, raspberries or blueberries are great alternatives.
- Pearl couscous – try another grain like farro or quinoa.
- Pistachios – almond slivers or walnuts are good alternatives.
- Goat cheese – feta works well too.
- Parsley
FOR THE VINAIGRETTE
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Jalapeno jelly
- Lemon juice
How to Make Grilled Apricot Couscous Salad
Step 1 – Cook the couscous according to the directions on the packaging and allow to cool a little.
Step 2 – In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the vinaigrette; olive oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, jalapeno jelly, lemon juice, salt & pepper.
Add the couscous and allow the couscous to soak up the flavors of the vinaigrette.
Step 3 – Wash the apricots (no need to peel them). Cut them in half and remove the seed. Cut each half in 4 slices.
Brush both cut sides with olive oil and place them, cut-side down, on a medium-hot grill or grill pan. Then, cook until markings are showing and slices are beginning to soften, about 1-2 minutes. Flip and grill the other side.
Step 4 – Add arugula, strawberries slices and grilled apricots to couscous mixture.
Step 5 – Add finely chopped parsley and pistachios to the couscous, and mix well but carefully, as you want to keep the apricot slices whole.
Step 5 – Plate the salad and garnish with goat cheese. Serve with grilled chicken or fish and you have a delightful meal.
Other Fruity Grain Salads to Try:
Grilled Apricot Couscous Salad
Pin Recipe FacebookIngredients
For the Salad
- 1/2 cup pearl couscous
- salt
- 2 apricots, fresh
- olive oil, for brushing
- 1 cup arugula
- 1.5 cups strawberries, about 5 cups sliced strawberries
- 2 tablespoons pistachio, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- 1 ounce goat cheese, crumbled
For the Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno jelly (NOTE 1)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Cook the couscous according to the directions on the packaging and allow to cool a little.
- Mix all the ingredients for the vinaigrette.
- Add the vinaigrette to the couscous and allow the couscous to soak up the flavors of the vinaigrette.
- In the meantime, wash the apricots (no need to peel them). Cut them in half and remove the seed. Cut each half in 4 slices.
- Brush the cut-sides with olive oil. Place them, cut-side down, on a medium–hot grill or grill pan until markings are showing and the slices are beginning to soften, about 1-2 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side.
- Add arugula, strawberries slices and grilled apricots to couscous mixture.
- Add finely chopped parsley and pistachio nuts to the couscous and mix well but carefully, as you want to keep the apricot slices whole.
- Plate the salad and garnish with goat cheese.
Notes
- Instead of Jalapeno Jelly you can add slices of jalapeno pepper. This will however increase the heat factor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.