Isn’t it funny how sometimes the easiest, most random recipes turn out to be such winners? I had never tried couscous before, but I was looking for something to make as a side for my Greek Burgers (recipe to come!) and this recipe caught my eye. I’ve said time and time again, that I am not usually one for pasta, rice, etc. I made a liar of myself with this recipe! I simply could not get enough. One forkful turned into two, to three, to four… and before I knew it, I had made a significant dent in the couscous!
For the record, I am usually only like that when there is chocolate involved.
This was so wonderful that I only shared a very small portion with Lloyd, who didn’t quite get why I was making such a big deal about “rice.”
In between shoveling heaps of couscous into my mouth, I declared my adoration for its deliciousness. In typical Lloyd fashion, he ignored me and turned his attention to the Red Sox Bruins HGTV TMZ, whatever was on the TV, because anything is more entertaining than watching your fiancé stuff her face with pasta.
Even Fox News.
Greek Couscous Salad
Yields about 4 servings
Adapted from Closet Cooking
Ingredients:
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1 cup water or chicken broth
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1 cup couscous
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1/2 C grape tomatoes, halved
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1/2 medium cucumber (chopped)
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1 tablespoon red onion (sliced)
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1/4 C feta cheese (crumbled)
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
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1 table lemon juice
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1 dash oregano
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dash basil
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salt and pepper to taste
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Bring the water to a boil in a small sauce pan and turn off the heat.
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Mix in the couscous, cover and let sit for 5 minutes.
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Mix in the tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and feta.
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In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, basil salt and pepper.
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Pour the dressing over couscous and mix well.
Directions
Fluffy and light, this gorgeous “grain” hit the spot. It was a fantastic alternative from the standard rice or pasta side dish, and it comes together in snap! The Mediterranean flavors were bright, but understated, with just the slightest zing from the lemon juice and vinegar. The veggies really jived together and gave the dish a fresh taste. I can’t wait to experiment and find new ways to prepare couscous!
Love this idea! I rarely make Greek food but the flavors are so delicious!
Thanks for the recipe Liz. I too have just been introduced to couscous. Yesterday my son in law brought the following recipe for dinner. I have been eating it all day. Will make yours tomorrow.
Couscous With Grilled Vegetables
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 green zucchini, quartered lengthwise
2 yellow zucchini, quartered lengthwise
6 spears asparagus, trimmed
12 cherry tomatoes
1 red bell pepper, quartered and seeded
1 yellow bell pepper, quartered and seeded
1/4 cup basil chiffonade (stack leaves, roll in a cigar shape and cut crosswise into thin strips)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb. Israeli couscous
2 cups vegetable stock, heated
Hot water to cover
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard and garlic, slowly add the olive oil and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/2 the marinade over the vegetables and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat the grill. Remove the vegetables from the marinade and grill the vegetables until just cooked through. Cut the zucchini and peppers into 1/2-inch pieces, cut the tomatoes in half. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, add the couscous and toast until lightly golden brown. Cover the couscous with the hot stock plus hot water and bring to a boil, cook until al dente and drain well. Place in a large serving bowl, add the grilled vegetables and herbs and toss with the remaining vinaigrette. Serve at room temperature.
looks delish and i love the bowl too!
LOVE couscous! I always have it in my pantry! this looks like something I would love!
I love the stuff too. I had a good recipe once that was couscous, curry, broth, carrots, cauliflower, raisins, and a bit of broccoli. Delish! I think I now prefer couscous with curry – but I wouldn’t turn it down any other way either. : D
i love grain salads like this — they’re so easy to make!
Looks light and delicious – perfect spring salad
I also make this same recipe with Quinioa and take it for lunch!
I agree with you. I love that happy surprise too. Sometimes the recipes that require a lot of time and I expect to be real stunners disapoint and the ones that are focused on more simple flavors and techniques end up being the winners. Life is funny like that.
Such gorgeous colours and what photos! Love the Greek looking bowl, too. Love this salad for the warm weather, bringing on the Greek sunshine.
Wow is that gorgeous or what?!? I love the colors and your couscous looks perfect! Yum!
yum! I just made a similar salad, but minus the couscous…can’t wait for that burger recipe!
I love the flavor of Greek food so this sounds like a “must make”.
I love it when randomness becomes excellent stuff! This looks so good- lately ive been on a couscous (regular and israeli) kick. A new recipe to add into my rotation. =)
Oh, wow. This looks great! I kind of want to go and make this right now!
This looks fantastic! I’ve been loving quinoa lately, but need to branch out into all the other outside the box grains out there
This looks great! Can you serve it hot or cold? I would love to bring it to a picnic or cookout!
I LOVE couscous..actually anything Greek really, well except for Lamb
This reminds me of a recipe on the box of couscous from Near East- I always follow that recipe, but I love this one too- more homemade.
Love the flavors in this couscous! Your bowl is beautiful too and actually reminds me of Greece!
I make an orzo salad with these same ingredients and it’s so good for summer. The red onion and feta are my favorite parts.
I am always looking for new ways to cook cous cous and this looks great (and I’m looking forward to that Greek burger recipe…..)! Thank you for sharing!
Looks great! Fresh and perfect for summer!
Yum!! This salad looks awesome. Being a huge rice and pasta person, I have no reservations saying I would LOVE this!
Looks so refreshing and spring-y!
This salad looks wonderful! Beautiful mixture of ingredients!
Sounds like a perfect light lunch to me! Mmm!
Love this. Greek salad flavors are always a winner – can’t wait to give it a try.
Thank you for the recipe!!
I love couscous but have never eaten it Greek style. Great recipe.
what an easy meal! thanks for the idea. I love couscous and am always looking for ways to spice it up!
This looks delicious! I love couscous and I’m always trying to find ways to jazz it up. This is perfect.
Yum! I love couscous, but never eat it like this. What a great way to make it a summer side dish!