Pearl Couscous Salad with Peppermint and Pecans

serves 2 as main, 4 as a side
You Will Need:

  • 1 medium-sized red onion, cut into slivers
  • 1/2 cup pearl couscous
  • 1/2 cup (plus 2 tablespoons) water
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh peppermint, chopped (reserve a few whole leaves for garnish)
  • 1/4 cup pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

 

Instructions:
In a large pan on medium heat, sauté the onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil for approximately 20 minutes. The onion should be soft and slightly caramelized, but not completely reduced (as you would do for a French onion soup, for example). Sprinkle the onions with a dash of salt.
In the meantime, chop the pecans and toast in a smaller skillet on a low flame for about 5 minutes. Nuts should be aromatic, just lightly toasted. Stir frequently to prevent burning (they can go from toasty to burnt in just a second, so keep an eye on them the entire time). Chop the peppermint, reserving a few leaves for garnish.
Place couscous in a medium-large bowl. Boil water, measure it to 1/2 cup mark and add one more little splash. Pour water into bowl with couscous. Cover with foil for about 12 minutes. Remove foil, then add cooked onion, toasted pecans, fresh peppermint and a tablespoon of olive oil and vinegar. Stir until evenly mixed, and sprinkle with a little fresh mint on top.

See the Recipe in thekitchn.com