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Recipe: Spicy Chipotle Couscous Salad

August 4, 2011 By Kristi Rimkus 35 Comments

I used to skip the pasta. The empty calories just weren’t worth it to me. Most of the time the pasta was covered in a heavy sauce, or loaded with cheese. The pasta salads were just as bad – saturated in mayonnaise based dressings that drowned out any resemblance of what the pasta originally looked like.

Whole Wheat Couscous Salad with Pork Tenderloin

Whole Wheat Couscous Salad with Pork Tenderloin

Whole Wheat Spicy Chipotle Couscous Salad

Whole Wheat Spicy Chipotle Couscous Salad

Of course, that was mostly ignorance on my part. Once I started learning to cook with light and healthy ingredients, I realized there were plenty of healthy, flavorful pastas on the market. Even better, there was an equally amazing number of refreshingly light pasta recipes just waiting for me to give them a try.

These days I make up my own pasta salad recipes, and whole wheat couscous is one of my favorite ingredients. I can mix this tiny fun pasta with almost any vegetable and come up with a simple salad that works perfectly as a side dish – hot or cold!

Serves 6

Recipe: Spicy Chipotle Couscous Salad
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole wheat couscous, cooked according to package directions
  • ½ cup pineapple jam, low sugar (or any citrus jam or jelly works fine)
  • ½ can mild green chiles
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons onion, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder, or to taste
  • 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
  • ¼ cup onion, chopped
  • 1 cup kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. 1. Combine pineapple jam, chiles, garlic, lemon and zest, 2tablespoons onion and chipotle in a medium bowl. Remove half the mixture to a blender and puree into a sauce.
  2. 2. Combine the vegetables in a large bowl with couscous and pineapple mixture. Stir in puree and combine well.
7.8.1.2
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http://motherrimmy.com/dont-wheat-spicy-chipotle-couscous/

Healthy Cooking Tip . . .

Whole grain pastas provide a variety of health benefits over standard pastas, especially added fiber – a big boost to dieters. There are a variety of whole grain pastas on the market. Look for 100% whole grains or 100% whole wheat pastas if possible. Whole grain blends aren’t typically 100% whole grain, but a blend of a variety of partially refined grains. Most of the products I’ve reviewed clearly state “whole grain blend” or “whole grain.” If you’re unsure, just look at the ingredient information.

Happy cooking and if you get a chance, hop on over to DigiGlyph Transmedia Publishing to check out my favorite salad, meat and egg recipes available on the Nook or the Kindle.

Nutrition Per Serving
Calories: 188, Weight Watchers PointsPlus 5
Total Fat: 1.62g
Cholesterol: —
Sodium: 119mg
Total Carbs: 41.82g
Dietary Fiber: 6.12g
Sugars: 11.73g
Protein: 6.40g

Spicy Chipotle Couscous Salad

Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to me that I provide you with accurate information.

Filed Under: 300 Calories or Less, Healthy Pasta, Healthy Recipes, Healthy Salads, Light Up Your Spring, Recipes by Calories

« Opportunity Knocks! DigiGlyph Releases Mother Rimmy’s Recipe eBooks
Recipe: Strawberry Upside Down Cake »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. RavieNomNoms says

    August 4, 2011 at 7:03 am

    I love chipotle! I just posted a chipotle salmon tacos recipe. I love the smokey flavor it brings to dishes. It is so delicious!
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:38 am

      You and me both. I'm a big chipotle fan! I'll check out your salmon tacos. My husband loves seafood tacos.
      Reply
  2. sangeetakhanna says

    August 4, 2011 at 8:04 am

    hey i loved this flavorful couscous...will be making it very soon.
    Reply
  3. Meghan says

    August 4, 2011 at 8:05 am

    I love all the flavors you used to dress up this couscous salad! Buzzed!
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:39 am

      Thank you Meghan. Have a terrific weekend!
      Reply
  4. Alina says

    August 4, 2011 at 9:26 am

    Wow! pineapple jam! I'm intrigued. I've never seen whole wheat couscous here, but maybe I just haven't noticed.
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:40 am

      Isn't that interesting? I found the pineapple jam at a local farmers market, but I'm sure you could use any sweet fruit jam. I get the couscous from Trader Joes. Have a good weekend!
      Reply
  5. torviewtoronto says

    August 4, 2011 at 10:55 am

    this looks wonderful colourful meal
    Reply
  6. Sandra says

    August 4, 2011 at 11:13 am

    This is so flavorful Kristi and very filling. Can't imagine that there would be many leftovers.
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:41 am

      There's just the two of us at home these days, so I always have leftovers for work. It's a good deal! Have a great weekend!
      Reply
  7. Dave at eRecipeCards says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    Delicious, love the beans
    Reply
  8. The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says

    August 4, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    I've not see whole wheat couscous before. I'm intrigued by the fact that there's pineapple in your salad as well. It sounds wonderful with the chipotle and other ingredients. During the summer, most of my pasta dishes are made with fresh tomatoes and other ingredients from the garden; no heavy sauces needed, just fresh taste.
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:50 am

      I would love to say I have garden items to add to my salad, but alas, Seattle isn't producing a lot for me this year. Good thing for farmers markets! Have a good weekend!
      Reply
  9. Ann says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    I've never heard of whole wheat cous-cous! I love it! I am a pasta fan - but not a fan of heavy sauces, so I try to have either red or green sauces or SERIOUSLY lighten it up!
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:49 am

      Sounds like you and I are on the same page when it comes to how we like our pasta. I find whole wheat couscous at Trader Joes, but I think Fred Meyer carries it too. Have a good weekend!
      Reply
  10. BBQ Smoker Site says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    We've really started to pay attention to the types of carbs we take in. Whole wheat pasta has been a favorite of late, as has Quinoa. I'll have to try and find some of this Whole Wheat Couscous!
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:49 am

      I love that you mentioned quinoa. I'm a recent convert to quinoa pasta. It's not that much more expensive and I love the texture and flavor! Have a wonderful weekend!
      Reply
  11. Magic of Spice says

    August 4, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    Great recipe...Couscous is such a great choice for summer salads and of course I all over the chipotle :)
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:47 am

      And I love that couscous works wonders hot or cold with almost any combination of ingredients you can put it with. Have a good weekend!
      Reply
  12. Hester Casey @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says

    August 5, 2011 at 3:30 am

    My husband had a bad couscous experience. Someone who can't so much as make toast served him up a bowl of lukewarm watery slop which he manfully ate and has been anti-couscous ever since. I on the other hand, escaped the watery flavourless couscous so I absolutely love it. I will make him your recipe, Kristi, because I think it will change his mind and I'm happy to find an excuse to put it on the menu at my house! Have a great weekend.
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:46 am

      My husband had the same experience but with hummus, and it was a bad hummus recipe, so I can't blame him. Too bad. I love the stuff and now he won't touch it. Have a good weekend!
      Reply
  13. Michael says

    August 5, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    hmmm...I never had whole wheat couscous before...worth a shot :) thanks!
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:30 am

      I get it at Trader Joes, and I believe Fred Meyers carries it too if you have one in your part of town. Thanks for visiting!
      Reply
  14. Angie's Recipes says

    August 5, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    I am not a mayonnaise fan either, but I do enjoy pasta dishes from time to time. Love your couscous salad...simple, healthy, but very delicious and loaded with flavours.
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:45 am

      My favorite chipotle. I can't resist anything with chipotle in it! :)
      Reply
  15. Kate@Diethood says

    August 6, 2011 at 6:59 am

    Pineapple jam?! Yes, please! I bet that couscous is amazing!Congrats on Top 9!!
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 11:42 am

      Found the pineapple jam at our local farmers market and couldn't resist. It was very good! Thank you!
      Reply
  16. alyce says

    August 6, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    Sounds yummy. I love cous cous.
    Reply
  17. Sandra says

    August 6, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Congratulations on Top 9!
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 6, 2011 at 8:12 pm

      Thank you Sandra! It was a very nice surprise for sure. :)
      Reply
  18. Drick says

    August 6, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    chipotle is so intense yet adds so much flavor and I like how you use it here... very nice contrast of flavors also, that is some good looking pork my lady......
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 7, 2011 at 8:24 am

      I love it when I don't over cook the pork. :)
      Reply
  19. Suzanne says

    August 6, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Yum, I'm loving all the flavor going on in this dish. I tried box couscous from the health food store looked good but was terrible. I need to try this out and redeem my palate for some good tasting couscous.
    Reply
    • krimkus says

      August 7, 2011 at 8:22 am

      That's too bad. You sound like you had the same experience Hester's husband had. You'll have to let me know what you think if you try this dish.
      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pasta Salad Recipe | Healthy Eating | Free Tips and Information says:
    August 6, 2011 at 6:28 am
    [...] grain Pastas provide a variety of health benefits over standard Pastas, especially added fiber ‘ a big boost to dieters. There are a variety of whole grain [...]
    Reply

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