Curried Couscous Salad

Servings: five half-cup snacks, or about two meals

Equipment: none

How long does it take?

10 minutes (making couscous will take an additional 10 to 15 minutes)

What's in it?

1 cup cooked couscous
1 cup garbanzo beans, canned
1 cup raisins
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (choose parsley, cilantro, or chives)
2 teaspoons curry powder

How to make it:

Place couscous, beans, and raisins in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with fresh herbs and curry powder, and toss. A half cup of this salad makes a great snack. A whole cup or more can be a meal-on-the-go.

Nutrition breakdown per 1cup:

Calories: 182, Protein: 4 g, Carbohydrate: 30 g, Fat: 6 g (saturated fat: 1 g), Dietary fiber: 3 g, Vitamin E: 2 mg (21% of the RDA), Vitamin B6: 13% of the RDA, Vitamin A: 94 IU (12% of the RDA)

What's in it for you?

When beans and grains, like garbanzo beans and couscous, are eaten at the same time, their proteins are complementary. Eating complementary proteins helps vegetarians meet their protein needs without eating meat. Couscous is rich in B vitamins, which help unlock energy from the food you eat.

Chef's tip:

Couscous is a traditional Moroccan pasta. It's quick and easy to make:

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of couscous and return to a boil. Cover and remove from heat. Allow to stand 5 minutes. Fluff up with a fork. Makes 1 to 2 cups.