Easy Couscous Salad

If you love the bright fresh flavors of the Mediterranean this will quickly become one of your new family recipes. It's one of the easiest salads to make and you will feel as if you have been swept away to the Greek Islands or at least your favorite Greek restaurant after the first bite.

What is couscous?

Couscous has the look of coarse cornmeal and the taste of tiny bits of pasta. Its flavor is neutral which makes it very versatile and can be served hot or cold. The box never reads "instant" but it should because it only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. 

Easy Couscous Salad

The Couscous

1 cup of couscous

1 cup water

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Place water, oil and salt in a medium sized sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add couscous, stir and cover. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes; then fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature before adding to the rest of the ingredients.

The Veggies, Beans and Cheese

1 red bell pepper, diced small

1/2 red onion, diced small

1 English cucumber, diced small

1/2 bunch of fresh flat leaf parsley, rough chopped

1 can garbanzo beans (15.5 oz.), drained and rinsed

6 - 8oz. crumbled feta cheese

The Dressing

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1. Make the couscous first so it can cool down.
2. Whisk dressing ingredients together in a large bowl.
3. Add the veggies and beans to the dressing and toss to mix.
4. Add the cooled couscous and toss to mix.
5. Add the Feta cheese and toss to mix.
6. Chill for at least an hour before serving.

NOTES:

• You can rehydrate your couscous in a pot as written above or you can place the couscous, salt and oil in a bowl and pour the hot water over; stir and cover with plastic. This method is handy if you have an electric kettle and it also takes only 5 minutes. It works either way.
• Other options to add to your couscous salad are Kalamata or Black olives and grape tomatoes.
• I toss the veggies with the dressing before adding the couscous so that all the veggies are coated with the dressing and I like to add the feta last so it will stay a little chunky.