Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a taste of sunshine? Alright, let's get this couscous keyword party started! This Mediterranean Couscous Salad is like a summer holiday in a bowl. Honestly, the lemon herb vinaigrette just sings!

Brief Overview

This salad's roots are in north africa, with influences from the sunny mediterranean coast. it's proper easy to make, taking about 30 minutes from start to finish.

This recipe makes about 4 servings perfect for a light lunch or to impress the family on a picnic.

Main Benefits

Did you know couscous is a good source of selenium? this salad is bursting with fresh veggies so it's pretty healthy.

It is proper lush for a bbq or a light supper on a warm evening. what makes this recipe special? it’s that burst of fresh flavors that just make you feel good.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:10 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (180g) pearl couscous (Israeli couscous)
• 1 ½ cups (360ml) vegetable broth or water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (approx. 1 cup)
• 1 cucumber, seeded and diced (approx. 1 cup)
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• Optional: Toasted pine nuts

Instructions:

• Bring broth (or water) to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in couscous, olive oil, and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender (about 8-10 minutes). Fluff with a fork. Let cool slightly.
• While couscous cooks, chop the bell pepper, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, and red onion.
• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, mint, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked couscous, chopped vegetables, and Kalamata olives.
• Pour the lemon-herb vinaigrette over the couscous mixture and toss gently to combine.
• Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad.
• Serve immediately or chill for later. Garnish with toasted pine nuts (optional).

Nutrition Facts

Calories:420 calories

Fat:25g

Fiber:4g

Recipe Info

Category:Salad

Cuisine:Mediterranean

Mediterranean Couscous Magic

Fancy a bit of the Med without the airfare? Honestly, this Pearl Couscous Recipe is your ticket.

A Salad with a Story

This isn't just some random salad. Think of it as a culinary postcard from North Africa. It's quick, it's easy, and it's bursting with sunshine flavours.

What You'll Need:

You'll need pearl couscous and some yummy fresh ingredients. Think colourful veggies and a zingy dressing.

The Good Stuff Inside

Why is this salad good for you? Let’s find out.

A Dose of Goodness

This salad is not just tasty, it's good for you too. It’s packed with nutrients from all those colourful vegetables.

Perfect for Sharing (or Not!)

This Feta Couscous Salad is great for potlucks and gatherings. Alternatively, you can eat it all yourself.

Why This Recipe Rocks

It’s that lemon herb vinaigrette , honestly. That zesty dressing really makes it something special. It will become one of your fave Summer Couscous Recipes , I guarantee it.

Couscous Construction

Alright, time to get cooking!

From Pantry to Plate in Minutes

Ready to whip up this Quick Couscous Recipe ? Let's get started!

Step-by-Step to Sunshine

Follow my simple steps, and you'll have a taste of the Mediterranean in no time. Perfect as a couscous side dish , or light lunch!.

What Sets This Salad Apart

The combination of textures and flavors is what makes this salad so addictive. Plus, it's so quick to make!

Mediterranean Magic for Everyone

This recipe is adaptable and friendly, offering something for everyone

Making it Your Own

Don't be afraid to put your own spin on this recipe. Swap out veggies, add spices, make it your own!

Dietary Tweaks

Need a vegan version? Just skip the feta! Got a gluten thing? Use quinoa instead of couscous .

A Mediterranean Feast

Serve this Vegetarian Couscous Salad alongside grilled chicken or fish. A glass of chilled white wine never goes wrong!

Alright, let's get this couscous party started! this mediterranean couscous salad recipe is so easy, even i can’t mess it up.

And honestly, it tastes like sunshine. perfect for pretending you're on a mediterranean summer holiday , even if you're just in your garden!

Ingredients & Equipment

This recipe's got two simple parts. Cooking the couscous and prepping the fresh bits. I used to overcook the pearl couscous every single time! Now I know the trick, you'll see!

Main Ingredients

For the Couscous:

• 1 cup (180g) pearl couscous AKA Israeli Couscous .
• 1 ½ cups (360ml) vegetable broth or water.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• ½ teaspoon salt.

The quality of the broth matters. Go for proper stuff, yeah? It bumps up the flavor.

For the Vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, diced (approx. 1 cup ).
• 1 cucumber, seeded and diced (approx. 1 cup ).
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved.
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved.
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced.

For the Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil.
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed.
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint.
• 1 clove garlic, minced.
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
• ¼ teaspoon salt.
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.

For Garnish:

• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese. This is the Feta Couscous Salad part!
• Optional: Toasted pine nuts.

Seasoning Notes

That Lemon Herb Vinaigrette is the magic! It turns this into a Mediterranean Couscous Salad .

• Oregano and garlic are best friends.
• Fresh herbs make all the difference. Honestly!
• No fresh parsley? Dried will do, but use half.
• Craving more heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

This is a Vegetarian Couscous Salad .

Equipment Needed

Just basic stuff, don't fret!

• Medium saucepan – for the couscous .
• Large mixing bowl – for everything else.
• Whisk – for the vinaigrette.
• Measuring cups and spoons – obvious.
• Cutting board and knife – also obvious.

Don't have a fancy whisk? A fork works fine. Seriously. No need to buy anything new.

This couscous side dish is surprisingly quick. it's a quick couscous recipe . it would be perfect for a light meal or a summer couscous recipes .

It's so colourful and flavourful! it is like a north african inspired salad !

Alright, let's get this couscous keyword party started! i’ve been tinkering in the kitchen, channeling some proper holiday vibes. forget the soggy sandwiches, we're making a mediterranean couscous salad with lemon-herb vinaigrette .

Honestly, this dish screams sunshine, even if the only sun you're seeing is through a gap in the curtains! it's a right crowd-pleaser.

Cooking Method: Couscous Salad

Prep Steps - Your Mise en Place Mission

Essential mise en place. first things first: get organised. chop your red bell pepper (about 1 cup), dice the cucumber (again, around 1 cup), halve those cherry tomatoes (½ cup), and get your kalamata olives ready (½ cup, pitted and halved).

Finely dice about ¼ cup of red onion too. it might seem boring, but prepping everything before you start cooking saves a heap of time.

Plus, you’ll feel like a proper chef. time-saving organization tips . honestly, i’m a fan of chopping the veg the day before and popping it in a container in the fridge.

Less stress on the day! safety reminders . remember to always use a sharp knife. it's safer than a blunt one believe it or not.

Keep those fingers tucked in!

Step-by-Step Process: Couscous Perfection

This is a Quick Couscous Recipe , so don't stress!

1. Bring 1 ½ cups (360ml) of vegetable broth (or water) to a boil in a saucepan. This is the key to flavour, using broth instead of plain water.
2. Stir in 1 cup (180g) pearl couscous , 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and ½ teaspoon of salt.
3. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is tender ( 8- 10 minutes ).
4. Fluff it all up with a fork. Let it cool slightly.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous and all the chopped veggies (pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion).
6. Make the dressing. Whisk together ¼ cup (60ml) olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons each of fresh parsley and mint, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper.
7. Pour the Lemon Herb Vinaigrette over the couscous mixture and toss gently.
8. Sprinkle with ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese and maybe some toasted pine nuts if you're feeling fancy.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Couscous Game

• Don’t overcook the couscous. It gets mushy and no one wants that. Aim for al dente, like pasta.
• Use fresh herbs if you can. They make a massive difference. If you're using dried, halve the amount.
• Common mistakes to avoid . Don't add the feta before you chill the salad! It will lose its texture. Enjoy this Vegetarian Couscous Salad , perfect to get you in the mood for a Mediterranean Summer Holiday . It is inspired by the flavors of North African Inspired Salad .

Alright, let's get this couscous keyword party started!

Recipe Notes: Cracking the Couscous Code

This mediterranean couscous salad isn't just a recipe. it’s a portal. a portal to sunshine, lazy afternoons, and that "i’m on holiday" feeling, even if you're just staring at the rain out the window.

Honestly, sometimes i make it just for the smell . based on that cracking recipe and description, here are 10 , a mix of the best from the provided list and some new ones to really boost that seo, all channeling that "mediterranean summer holiday" vibe:

1. Mediterranean Couscous Salad
2. Pearl Couscous Recipe
3. Israeli Couscous Salad
4. Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
5. Feta Couscous Salad
6. Summer Couscous Recipes
7. Couscous Side Dish
8. Vegetarian Couscous Salad
9. Quick Couscous Recipe
10. North African Inspired Salad

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

How you present your feta couscous salad matters! don't just bung it in a bowl, right? use a nice serving dish.

Think bright colours. sprinkle extra feta on top for a fancy touch. a sprig of mint never hurt anyone, either.

For sides, this goes brilliantly with grilled halloumi. or even some crusty bread for soaking up that lovely lemon herb vinaigrette .

A crisp glass of white wine? don’t mind if i do.

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh

Got leftovers? Lucky you. This couscous side dish keeps well.

Refrigeration: Pop it in an airtight container and it'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days. Honestly, it often tastes even better the next day. The flavors really meld.

Freezing: I wouldn't recommend freezing this. The cucumber and tomatoes can get a bit mushy when thawed. Plus, it's so quick to make fresh. Why bother?

Reheating: No need to reheat! It's best served cold or at room temperature.

Variations: Couscous Your Way

Want to mix it up? Go for it!

Dietary adaptations: for a vegan version, simply ditch the feta. there are some decent plant-based feta alternatives out there. for a gluten-free option, swap the pearl couscous (which isn't actually a grain) for quinoa.

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: In autumn, try adding roasted butternut squash. In winter, pomegranate seeds add a festive touch. In spring asparagus or broad beans would be delicious.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

This quick couscous recipe is packed with good stuff! it's a source of fibre, thanks to the veggies and pearl couscous .

The olive oil provides healthy fats. and that feta? well, it adds a bit of calcium and protein. it has key health benefits

Don't forget the herbs! They're full of vitamins and antioxidants. It's simplified nutrition, right?

Basically, you're getting a tasty and good-for-you meal. What’s not to love?

So there you have it. all the notes you need to nail this mediterranean couscous salad . give it a go, have fun, and don't be afraid to experiment.

Remember, cooking should be enjoyable, not a chore!