This recipe was given to me years ago by a dear friend and mother of 4 who is well experienced with feeding a large family on a budget. It makes a perfect side dish for a summer barbecue and is a handy dish to bring along to a gathering of friends when you know there are going to be vegetarians present.
I find a supermarket tin of three bean salad comes into its own with this dish. With a combination of cannellini, flageolet and adzuki beans mixed in with the sweet and savoury ingredients children and adults alike get a healthy dose of fibre and nutrients in a dish which only takes minutes to prepare. You could, if you were so inclined, go about the long process of soaking and boiling your own beans, but I find a tin much more convenient with my busy lifestyle.
Couscous is a remarkably easy grain to prepare too – as Bintu points out in her how-to post How to Cook Couscous. It should be a staple in every storecupboard, I believe!
Leftovers make an excellent packed lunch for work.
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 150 grams couscous
- 240 ml vegetable stock
- 1 red pepper, chopped into 1 cm squares
- 1 400 gram tin 3 bean salad in water
- 50 grams sultanas
- fresh parsley, chopped
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: Serves 6
Homemade Nutri-Grain Bars
Great! I’ve made it a few times and it’s really good as a side with basically anything. I think I may add some other fresh vegetables (tomato, cucumber) next time and see how it pans out. Very cheap to make too which is a plus. 🙂
I am trying to replicate a veggie wrap recipe I have enjoyed in the past and I think your recipe looks the closest. I’m going to wrap this up in tortillas with greens and grated carrot and serve at a potluck.
Couscous has always been a favourite of mine and this would make a wonderful addition to a picinic.
Trying to get the kids to eat more beans, its an uphill struggle
I definitely want to make more salads like this. Love red onion in salads too. Thanks for the recipe.
Looks amazingly healthy.
Sounds and looks fabulous. I’m going to have to try it, but not put the raisins in. My stomach doesn’t like raisins!
Love 3 bean salad but never thought of ‘padding it out’ with couscous so thank you!
i bought a tin of 3 bean salad a while ago and then couldn’t think what to do with it – problem now solved!
in the Great Lakes area we grill even through the winter time so anytime is good for a barbecue I will try your recipe but I have to improve my math skills to change from grams to ounces lol
Easy and delicious. Thanks so much for sharing with MLLA.
My kind of salad. I’d be quite happy with a bowl of this as my main meal. Great photo.
Thank you, I’m quite pleased how it turned out. 🙂