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Spring Strawberry Salad with Couscous and Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on February 22, 2022

Time

35 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Spring Strawberry Salad with Couscous and Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese

Ingredients

¾ cup water 7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided¾ cup couscous 1 (8-ounce) log goat cheese ¾ cup pecans, toasted and chopped fine3 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons strawberry jam 1 head Bibb lettuce (8 ounces), torn into bite-size pieces (8 cups)12 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered (2 cups)8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed and sliced thin on bias6 radishes, trimmed, halved, and sliced thin

Before You Begin

This salad is especially good when made with honey-flavored goat cheese, if you can find it. We also like to top the salad with chopped Quick Sweet Pickled Rhubarb.

Instructions

  1. Bring water, 1 tablespoon oil, and ½ teaspoon salt to boil in small saucepan over high heat. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and let cool uncovered.
  2. Meanwhile, cut goat cheese log in half lengthwise, then cut each half crosswise into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into ball. Transfer pecans to shallow dish and roll each cheese ball in pecans to coat, pressing to adhere.
  3. Whisk lemon juice, jam, remaining 6 tablespoons oil, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl until fully combined. Add lettuce, strawberries, snap peas, radishes, and couscous and toss to combine. Top salad with cheese balls and serve.
Spring Strawberry Salad with Couscous and Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Chantal Lambeth.

Spring Strawberry Salad with Couscous and Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese

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Time

35 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

¾ cup water
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
¾ cup couscous
1 (8-ounce) log goat cheese
¾ cup pecans, toasted and chopped fine
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons strawberry jam
1 head Bibb lettuce (8 ounces), torn into bite-size pieces (8 cups)
12 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered (2 cups)
8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed and sliced thin on bias
6 radishes, trimmed, halved, and sliced thin

Ingredients

¾ cup water
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
¾ cup couscous
1 (8-ounce) log goat cheese
¾ cup pecans, toasted and chopped fine
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons strawberry jam
1 head Bibb lettuce (8 ounces), torn into bite-size pieces (8 cups)
12 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered (2 cups)
8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed and sliced thin on bias
6 radishes, trimmed, halved, and sliced thin

Ingredients

¾ cup water
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 ¼ teaspoons table salt, divided
¾ cup couscous
1 (8-ounce) log goat cheese
¾ cup pecans, toasted and chopped fine
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons strawberry jam
1 head Bibb lettuce (8 ounces), torn into bite-size pieces (8 cups)
12 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered (2 cups)
8 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed and sliced thin on bias
6 radishes, trimmed, halved, and sliced thin

Why This Recipe Works

Strawberry jam added extra sweetness and berry flavor to an easy lemon dressing.

Before You Begin

This salad is especially good when made with honey-flavored goat cheese, if you can find it. We also like to top the salad with chopped Quick Sweet Pickled Rhubarb.

Instructions

  1. Bring water, 1 tablespoon oil, and ½ teaspoon salt to boil in small saucepan over high heat. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and let cool uncovered.
  2. Meanwhile, cut goat cheese log in half lengthwise, then cut each half crosswise into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into ball. Transfer pecans to shallow dish and roll each cheese ball in pecans to coat, pressing to adhere.
  3. Whisk lemon juice, jam, remaining 6 tablespoons oil, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt in large bowl until fully combined. Add lettuce, strawberries, snap peas, radishes, and couscous and toss to combine. Top salad with cheese balls and serve.

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