Marybeth and Barbara's Couscous and Black Bean Salad

Makes 10 cups

carly

ingredients

Beans:
1 1/4 cup canned black beans
1 bay leaf
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup sherry wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, peeled and put through a press
Couscous:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp sherry wine vinegar
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 clove garlic, peeled and put through a press
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable or defatted chicken stock
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups uncooked couscous (package will probably say “instant” or “quick-cooking”)
Veggies:
2/3 cup (about half of one small) red bell pepper, 1/4 inch dice
2/3 cup (about half of one small) green bell pepper, 1/4 inch dice
2/3 cup (about half of one small) yellow bell pepper, 1/4 inch dice
3/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1/2 cup sliced green onions (slices 1/8 inch thick on the diagonal)

directions

1
For beans, whisk together oil, vinegar, bay leaf, salt, cumin, pepper, Worcestershire, and garlic. Drain and rinse beans and add to vinaigrette. Let marinate while preparing couscous and veggies (remove bay leaf before serving).
2
For couscous, whisk together oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Reserve. Heat stock and 2 Tbsp olive oil in 1-quart saucepan until simmering, add couscous, cover and remove from heat and let stand 3-5 minutes (or cook according to package instructions). Fluff couscous with fork to remove any lumps. Stir couscous into dressing and let cool to room temperature.
3
To assemble, toss marinated beans (with marinade) with couscous. Add peppers, parsley, and onions (saving 1/3 of each for topping the salad). Place in serving dish, top with remaining peppers, parsley, and onions. Serve cold or at room temperature.

notes

For the health-conscious couscous lover, a lot of the oil called for in this recipe can be cut. Use your own judgment/taste. You could also substitute quinoa for the couscous.

Source: carly