Spinach and Artichoke Salad with Couscous Cakes and Feta recipe

Spinach and Artichoke Salad with Couscous Cakes and Feta

Quick-to-cook couscous cakes make this meatless main-course salad satisfying. Serves three.

For the dressing:
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. sour cream
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh mint
5 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the couscous cakes:
3/4 cup couscous
Kosher salt
1 large clove garlic, peeled
1/4 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon (about 1-1/2 tsp.)
3 Tbs. vegetable or canola oil
For the salad:
8 oz. baby spinach, washed and dried (about 6 lightly packed cups)
1 14-oz. can artichoke bottoms, drained, rinsed, and sliced
15 cherry tomatoes, halved
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 oz. crumbled feta (about 1/4 cup)

Make the dressing:

In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, sour cream, and mint. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Make the couscous cakes:

Put the couscous and 1 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water to the couscous, cover the bowl with a pan lid or plate, and let sit for 4 to 5 minutes.

Coarsely chop the garlic in a food processor. Add the parsley and pulse until finely chopped. Add the chickpeas and 1 tsp. salt and pulse until coarsely chopped.

Uncover the couscous and fluff with a fork. Stir in the chickpea mixture, eggs, and lemon zest until well combined. Press the couscous mixture into a 1/4-cup measure, smooth the top, and invert the measuring cup to release the cake onto a plate. Repeat with the remaining couscous mixture to make 9 cakes.

Heat 1-1/2 Tbs. of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering hot. Add 5 of the couscous cakes to the skillet and use a spatula to lightly flatten the cakes so they’re about 3/4 inch thick. Cook, flipping once, until crisp and golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add the remaining 1-1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil to the skillet and cook the remaining cakes the same way.

Assemble the salad:

In a large bowl, toss the spinach, artichokes, and tomatoes with about three-quarters of the dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper and divide among 3 large plates. Top each salad with 3 couscous cakes, sprinkle each salad with feta, and drizzle with the remaining dressing.

Serving Suggestions

Phyllo Chips with Vanilla Ice Cream & Strawberry Mash Dip makes the perfect dessert.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 710; Fat (g): 44; Fat Calories (kcal): 390; Saturated Fat (g): 8; Protein (g): 20; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 24; Carbohydrates (g): 63; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 9; Sodium (mg): 1580; Cholesterol (mg): 155; Fiber (g): 9;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 99 , pp. 79
May 6, 2009


user reviews

Star Star Star Star Star I haven't tried this yet but am wondering if we think the cous cous cakes could be made ahead and frozen to be cooked later. I work in a restaurant that offers trout cakes that we make in batches and freeze to be cooked later; we also try to have good veggie alternatives and I think if these would hold up they would be a great alternative. Any thoughts/experiences?
Star Star Star Star Star The dressing is a key part of this recipe. It was very good.
Star Star Star Star Star Delicious! As suggested by previous reviewers, I used a bit less lemon juice and added a tsp of honey, greek yogurt, and sliced cucumbers. The dressing came out fantastic. Also--worked well with mixed greens. Thanks to all the reviewers for their suggestions.
Star Star Star Star Star Absolutely wonderful. We've made the couscous cakes again to serve with shrimp. They're a versatile (and delicious) recipe to have around.
Star Star Star Star Star I loved this recipe. I subbed greek yogurt for the sour cream and used goat cheese instead of feta.
Star Star Star Star Star I loved this dish! My mint is hybernating so I used a pinch of ground ginger instead in the dressing, and I didn't find it sour at all. I left out the artichokes to save money, and didn't miss them. I was very stingy with the salt; next time I might add a small pinch of soysauce to the couscous cakes.
Star Star Star Star Star I made this for dinner last night. Lovely salad. I agree the dressing was a little sour, but I think I had more than the 2T of lemon juice. I also used quinoa instead of couscous. We loved the cakes, but next time I think I would add some of the feta (or blue cheese would be good, too) to the cakes as well, to kick up the flavor a notch. They were a tad bland. We'll definitely have this again.
Star Star Star Star Star This was an excellent vegetarian meal. I would add some pine nuts and cucumber to the salad. The artichoke bottoms were a little tough - it might be good to poach them in broth before using in the salad - I don't remember using them straight out of the can in any recipes I have made before.
Star Star Star Star Star My husband & I loved this salad. It's fresh & flavorful. I did use whole wheat couscous, Egg Beaters for the egg and reduced fat Feta. Some slice & halved cucumber was a nice addition. Also I found the dressing a little bit sour, so I added a couple of teaspoons of honey. We don't use alot of dressing on my salad so it was very good with far less than the portion allowed.

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