Please forgive my recent string of fresh herb inspired posts. I know not everyone has them or can keep them on hand, but I just can't get enough of them right now! They make everything taste fresh and satisfying!
So yet again, this post is brought to you by my herb garden. But that wasn't the only inspiration. Strawberries are peaking here and they are PHENOMENAL right now. AND
The Laughing Cow came out with two new flavors! I'm in love!
This idea combines all three: a fresh herb, awesome strawberries, and a new cheese flavor. The result is amazing! I've had it for lunch twice this week already!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whole wheat couscous (55g)
- ½ cup water
- 2 oz of cooked chicken (leftovers or shortcuts work great - or I keep frozen chicken tenderloins on hand to cook up real fast)
- 1 cup halved strawberries (150g)
- 25 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 Mini Babybel® Sharp Original
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (5g)
- 1 ½ tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon honey (10g)
- pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil. Add the couscous, cover, and shut off the heat. Let it sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients (about 10 minutes.)
Mix the finished warm couscous with the basil, strawberries and chicken. Let sit a minute while you prepare the cheese and vinaigrette. The warmth will start to combine the flavors.
Cut the cheese into small cubes.
Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper together.
Add the cheese and vinaigrette to the bowl.
Toss and pile on a plate.
ENJOY!
Now the nutrition info may seem high. Honestly, I was surprised when I saw it. Makes me wonder how many calories are in deli salads where they don't watch the amount of oil and such, but I digress.
There is no doubt this make a HUGE serving so you can split it into two, of course. I found the full amount very satisfying without weighing me down or giving me that too-full feeling. It also stayed with me until dinner. That's something that RARELY happens. Normally I'm snack happy between lunch and dinner.
This meal was truley satisfying in more ways than one! I made it again today. I can't get enough!
Disclosure: I've partnered with The Laughing Cow. Click here for more info and click here to see all my ideas using the Laughing Cow!
📖 Recipe
Strawberries with Chicken, Cheese and Couscous
Ingredients
- ¼ cup whole wheat couscous 55g
- ½ cup water
- 2 oz of cooked chicken leftovers or shortcuts work great - or I keep frozen chicken tenderloins on hand to cook up real fast
- 1 cup halved strawberries 150g
- 25 fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1 Mini Babybel® Sharp Original
- 1 teaspoon olive oil 5g
- 1 ½ tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon honey 10g
- pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil. Add the couscous, cover, and shut off the heat. Let it sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients (about 10 minutes.)¼ cup whole wheat couscous, ½ cup water
- Mix the finished warm couscous with the basil, strawberries and chicken. Let sit a minute while you prepare the cheese and vinaigrette. The warmth will start to combine the flavors.2 oz of cooked chicken, 1 cup halved strawberries, 25 fresh basil leaves
- Cut the cheese into small cubes.
- Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper together.1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 ½ tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, ½ teaspoon honey, pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
- Add the cheese and vinaigrette to the bowl.1 Mini Babybel® Sharp Original
- Toss and pile on a plate.
roni
I do! It's a similar texture.. I'm sure it would be yummy!
Hollie
Would be interested to know if you think this would work just as well with Quinoa?
Carol
I finally had a chance to try this tonight. The family loved it without the dressing and I loved it with the dressing. I loved that it was so easy to make, especially that it was easy to customize for different family members. I'll be making this one again soon. Thanks for a great summertime dinner idea.
Deborah anderson
I got this from a friend and tried it with blueberries. smokin' delicious. I LOVE this website!!!
Leslie
THIS WAS AMAZING! My co-worker and I were working late on a proposal and needed a quick, easy, and healthy meal to keep us going without putting us into a food coma- needless to say this did it! It was so simple and very flavorful! We doubled the recipe so I would have leftovers for lunch today- needless to say, I'm counting down the hours till lunch! I can't wait to try more recipes from this site. Thanks again!
TheGourmetCoffeeGuy
This is a great recipe: light, "fresh" and healthy. Really like the combination of fruit, cheese and couscous. We will try this one soon, thank you for sharing!
roni
THanks for catching!! It's tbsp. I've been experimenting between 1-2 and found 1/5 to be just perfect! 🙂
Christine
Hi Roni - is the measurement on the balsamic vinegar 1.5 t? I'm guessing it's teaspoons but wanted to check. This looks delicious!! 🙂