Tastefully Balanced

Tomato Basil Couscous with Salad Shrimp

A light and lean 250-calorie Mediterranean-style salad featuring pearl couscous, fresh basil, and chilled shrimp.

This dish features a refreshing combination of tender pearl couscous, sun-ripened tomato, and aromatic basil, tossed with succulent chilled salad shrimp. The Mediterranean-inspired flavors provide a bright and elegant alternative to traditional pasta salads. Because it utilizes a fully prepared couscous salad as its base, healthcare kitchens can offer a gourmet, texturally diverse entree that is both shelf-stable and easy to scale.

Ingredients

Nutritional Highlights (per 8 oz. serving)

This profile is exceptionally balanced, making it a “lean and green” highlight for healthcare meal plans:

  • High Protein Density: Provides 18g of protein at only 250 calories, offering a high satiety factor for lighter appetites.
  • Very Low Saturated Fat: Contains only 1g of saturated fat (5% DV), making it one of the most heart-healthy entrees in the series.
  • Essential Minerals: A strong source of iron (15% DV) and potassium (200mg) to support metabolic health.
  • Moderate Carbohydrates: With only 22g of carbohydrates, this is an excellent choice for managing glycemic intake while still providing whole-grain energy.