I don’t know what’s going on but I just can’t seem to get enough hearty grain salads in my life. I’ve made it clear that I’m obsessing over some summer orzo salad, and quinoa salads – though technically a seed and not a grain – rock my world.

Now, here comes the newcomer. Couscous. Couscous is not a grain that was very prominent in my life growing up. In fact, I could not tell you the last time I ate couscous. Until I went to Ireland, that is.

I know, you thought I was going to say Morocco or Tunisia or somewhere in North Africa where couscous if prominent, but, no, I said Ireland. Funnily enough, that’s where I rediscovered the magical little grain called couscous that is so light and fluffy I want to make a pillow out of it on which to lay my head.

Who else dreams their food is a pillow? Anyone with me? No?

Alasdair and I spent 3 days in Ireland, and, while we did have our fair share of bangers and mash and fish and chips, we also ate at a mind-blowing vegetarian restaurant, feasted on Japanese cuisine at wagamama and cured a craving for a light, fresh, healthy lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant called Orso Kitchen and Bar. Hence, the couscous salad. Side Note: If you’re ever in Cork, Ireland, don’t think twice. Go to those three restaurants.

I don’t know what it was about that light and fluffy couscous salad which was subtly flavored with mint and citrus that just took me from “I’m jet-lagged and I don’t want anymore junk food” mode to “I’m rested and ready to see the sights,” but I swear it had magical powers.

Obviously when I got back home to the States, I ran right to the kitchen to recreate this magical dish. Or I got around to it a few weeks later… Either way, I can now enjoy this delicious summery salad at home and so can you. You’re welcome.

Just like all my other summery grain-based salads, this couscous salad is super easy to throw together. Like, you could almost make this during a commercial break. I said, almost! Maybe that’s why I love these salads so much? No one wants to spend hours laboring away in the kitchen when it’s 85 and summer out, ‘specially not me!

Anyways, all you gotta do is cook the couscous which is so easy I want to cry. Then, whisk the pomegranate seeds, herbs and liquids together and toss them with the couscous. Ta da! It’s that simple.

And, once you’re done, you have a nice, little, fluffy salad of couscous to lay your head on and cuddle….I mean to eat. I don’t cuddle my food. No, really, I don’t. OK, maybe just that once….