I love serving at least one salad at my Halloween BOO-ffet, and this one is a favorite. Couscous is quick and easy to make, and the following Salade de litière pour chat (Cat litter salad) is always popular. I make the place card in the French language to fool my guests, but most are smart enough to see that if a salad is served in a small litter box, and the contents look like cat litter, and there are plenty of dumps, and the serving piece is a litter scoop, then it’s probably a cat litter salad.

This salad is a clone of a salad sold in most grocery stores in Paris called couscous oriental; I have adapted it to look like a believably disgusting cat box. You’ll find that guests will be intrigued and will want multiple servings.

24 Servings

Black Couscous:
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 cup couscous
black gel food coloring

White Couscous:
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 cup couscous

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely snipped
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Cat Dumps:
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves, trimmed of fat, veins, etc.
1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon granular chicken bouillon

1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1 15 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and finely chopped

1. Cat Litter: In two separate saucepans, bring the chicken broth, water, and olive oil to a boil.
2. Stir in the dehydrated onions and golden raisins.
3. Turn off the heat and stir in the couscous.
4. Stir black gel food coloring into one of the saucepans.
5. Cover the pans and let sit until the liquid has been absorbed; let cool thoroughly.
6. Dressing: Measure all dressing ingredients into a bullet blender or blender and whizz until mixed.
7. Cat Dumps: Cut the chicken breasts lengthwise into long 1/2" wide strips (they will shrink to the right size when cooked).
8. Melt the butter in a large skillet; add the chicken strips and lightly brown, stirring well.
9. Mix the balsamic vinegar, sugar, and bouillon; pour over the chicken strips and stir over low heat until the sauce is absorbed. Let cool then refrigerate until serving time.
10. Assembly: Mix the black and white couscous in a large bowl so that it looks like kitty litter.
11. Stir in the cucumber, red bell pepper, and chickpeas.
12. Add the cat dumps and stir.
13. Pour the dressing over all, mix well, and chill. This salad can be mixed up to two days ahead. Serve in an impeccably clean new, never-used small litter box with a litter scoop (also new, never-used (Duh!)

Amount Per Serving
Calories 278 Calories from Fat 91
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 35% Protein 23% Carb. 42%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 12 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 25 mg
Sodium 209 mg
Total Carbohydrate 28 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 15 g

Vitamin A 5% Vitamin C 15% Calcium 0% Iron 10%