Couscous Salad Lime Basil (Printable Version)

Couscous, sweet potato, black beans, and feta with tangy lime basil dressing for a fresh, lively salad.

# Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 180 grams couscous
02 - 250 milliliters water
03 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (approximately 390 grams)
04 - 400 grams canned black beans, drained and rinsed
05 - 60 grams baby spinach, chopped
06 - 115 grams feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 65 grams pistachios, chopped (optional)
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Lime Basil Vinaigrette

10 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed (approximately 12 grams)
11 - 120 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
12 - Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste
13 - 1 clove garlic
14 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
15 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
16 - 60–120 milliliters water, as needed

# Steps:

01 - Combine fresh basil, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, and water in a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth or slightly textured. Adjust water to achieve a pourable consistency.
02 - Bring 250 milliliters water to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and allow to cool.
03 - Place diced sweet potatoes in a skillet with 120 milliliters water and a pinch of salt. Cover and simmer over medium heat until fork-tender, about 10–12 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid and set sweet potatoes aside to cool.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked couscous, sweet potatoes, black beans, chopped spinach, crumbled feta, sliced red onion, and pistachios if using. Toss gently to combine.
05 - Pour the lime basil vinaigrette over the salad. Toss to coat evenly. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Notes:

01 - For optimal freshness, store salad components separately and assemble just before serving.
02 - Vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.