Apple & Arugula Cous Cous Pilaf

Soooo super thumbs up for more cold dishes to eat by the pool!

Approaching mid-September and we are still having July-esque weather. Have I mentioned that I loathe the transition to fall? I feel like every post recently has been prefaced by my love for summer and my hatred for all things colder weather. Luckily, summer is still raging and I haven’t been complaining much…yet.

I know this will be a short-lived victory. I can’t ignore the orange leaves falling into the pool. Or all the pumpkin beers Snapchats I get every night. Or decline my invites to apple-picking and Witches Woods the next couple of weeks. I am not in complete denial.

And maybe that’s why this delicious cous cous dish has got quite a few autumn aspects to it, while still being a perfectly acceptable summer dish.

I love everything about this one. The sweetness, the crunch of the walnuts, the peppery arugula and the tangy vinaigrette. It takes little effort and I’ve been noshing on it every day at the pool. Cous cous has never failed me, and this meal is no exception!

4 cups cooked Israeli cous cous

2-3 cups baby arugula

1 Granny Smith apple, chopped

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chopped dried cranberries

1/2 cup minced red onion

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

VINAIGRETTE

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp Dijon mustard