Living in Australia means I have access to some of the amazing tropical fruit this country has to offer. Back in Finland I could only dream of the fresh in-season mangoes, papayas or passion fruit and some of the fruit and vegetables I've had here in Australia I had never even heard of before moving here. I still find it exciting when I see ingredients I've never tried or tasted before and it's especially fascinating when they sound something so exotic as "paradise pears". How could I possibly resist anything with such a name?
It turns out these tiny pears make a great salad and pared with kamut couscous it's not only tasty, but also full of right nutrients. I'm in love with different types of couscous. I'm sorry to say this but after spoiling myself with ferro and kamut, I can't even dream of going back to plain old couscous! Seasoned with ground cinnamon, and orange zest and mixed with toasted pecans and organic mission figs, this salad is a clear winner to me. What a perfect start for the week!
Paradise Pear & Kamut Couscous Salad
(Serves 2-4)
2 tbsp olive oil
200 g kamut couscous
250 ml boiling water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of sea salt
zest of one orange
juice of 1/4 orange
9-10 paradise pears, cut in thin wedges
small handful of organic mission figs, quartered
1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted
1 tsp ground sumac
fresh mint and orange wedges, to serve
Place the olive oil, kamut couscous, cinnamon and pinch of salt in a bowl and stir. Pour the boiling water on top, cover with cling wrap and leave for three minutes. Then, using a fork, fluff the couscous to separate the grains. Add the orange zest and juice, paradise pears, figs, pecans and sumac. Mix everything to combine and serve with fresh mint and orange wedges.
I clearly need to start paying more attention and investigating different forms of couscous!
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of this! I have never heard of kamut, you must shop somewhere special? I love all your interesting and organic ingredients.
ReplyDeleteTiedän just miltä tuntuu,kun pääsee ympäri vuoden käsiksi tuoreisiin hedelmiin ja vihanneksiin,mikä onni! Ihana salaattiohje!
ReplyDeleteVery healthy and so delightful!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Love your blog.. Every time i pop by, i'm inspired to cool healthier food. Btw, lovely photography! :)
ReplyDeleteMUST try it... I don't have any pecans, would pine-nuts or walnuts work?
ReplyDeleteThe pears look adorable... and I didn't know there were so many different types of couscous! This salad sounds like a great mix!
ReplyDeleteIt looks tasty!
ReplyDeleteWow, this salad with couscous and all the fruit is it sounds and looks delicious...very refreshing. Have a great week ahead Maria :-)
ReplyDeleteThe pear looks petite and cute! I might have seen them here too but maybe going by a different name?
ReplyDeleteThis looks beautiful! I've never heard of kamut couscous but so love gorgeous tiny paradise pears :)
ReplyDeleteMy MIL loves the seasonal tropical fruits available in Australia. She buys so much of them whenever she is in Sydney. I love the seasonal recipes you have on your blog, Maria.
ReplyDeleteHehe so true, I guess we take it for granted when we have so much tropical produce on offer! :) One thing that I'm dying to try and that you're familiar with is the cloudberry! :)
ReplyDeleteI kept thinking you were in Europe, Sweden... my fault.... I didn't realize that AU had markets like this?
ReplyDelete