Couscous Salad with Chickpeas and Artichokes image

Vitamins A, C, and folate promote your baby’s cell, brain, and nervous system development.

SERVES 6; MAKES ABOUT 5 CUPS

THIS couscous salad is quick and easy, despite the long list of ingredients. Add what you want and make substitutions. For this salad, any small-grained pasta (such as orzo or acini di pepe) or quinoa can be used in place of the couscous. Short on time? Pick up your favorite ready-cut vegetables, such as grated carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli florets, cucumbers, tomatoes, or chickpeas, from a salad bar. Need more protein? Add cooked chicken, shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, or tofu (to keep it vegan) to this salad. Gluten-free? Use an equal amount of brown rice or quinoa in place of the couscous. Leftovers keep refrigerated for three days.

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

¼ cup olive oil

2 medium-size tomatoes, diced, or 12 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup diced red bell pepper

⅔ cup chickpeas (1 [7¾-ounce] can)

⅔ cup canned or jarred artichoke hearts, quartered

½ cup olives (any kind)

¼ cup pine nuts or your favorite nuts, toasted

3 cups cooked couscous (from about 1 cup uncooked)

Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar and Dijon until well blended. Add the olive oil, mix well, and set aside.

• Add the tomatoes, bell pepper, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, olives, and pine nuts to the couscous, then add the Dijon mixture and mix gently until all the ingredients are well combined. Add lemon juice to taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve.

Meal ideas

• Protein, such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, or plant-based (Mustard-Tarragon Pork Tenderloin, here)

• Reduced-fat milk or yogurt

• Fruit with vitamin C

Meal ideas and tips for diabetes

• Protein, such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy, or plant-based (above)

• Reduced-fat milk or unsweetened reduced-fat yogurt, 1 CARB

¾ cup couscous salad: Calories: 276 cals; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Fat: 15 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 339 mg; Vitamin A: 1,173 IU mg; Vitamin C: 40 mg; Folate: 79 mcg; Copper: 0.3 mg; Manganese: 1 mg; Selenium: 22 mcg; 2 CARBS