HealthNotes

Black Bean, Couscous, and Pepper Salad

• From: Fit and Fast Meals in Minutes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water

• 2 tsp olive oil

• 1/2 cup quick-cooking couscous

• 1/2 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans

• 1/4 lb lean ham, coarsely chopped

• 1/2 cup diced red onion

• 1 medium red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)

• 2 Tbs olive oil and vinegar dressing

• several drops hot pepper sauce

• salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• several lettuce leaves (optional)

This is a simple salad using quick-cooking couscous. It can be made the night before and refrigerated until needed. The flavor will improve with age.

Directions

• Bring water and olive oil to a boil. Remove from the heat, add couscous, stir, and cover with a lid. Let stand 5 minutes.
• Place black beans, ham, onion, and red bell pepper in a medium-size bowl. Add the couscous. Drizzle dressing over salad. Add hot pepper sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well. Sprinkle cilantro on top. To serve, arrange lettuce leaves on 2 plates and spoon salad onto the lettuce.