Description
A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad featuring nutty pearl couscous, fresh vegetables, and bright herbs – perfect for warm weather meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ small onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups pearl couscous
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 cup water
- 2 cucumbers, diced (about 2 cups)
- 250g cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
- 3 cups baby spinach, finely sliced
- ¼ cup coriander/cilantro, finely chopped
- ¼ cup dill, finely chopped
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 3/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering, then add 1 garlic clove (minced) and ½ small onion (finely chopped) and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add 1 1/2 cups pearl couscous and toast, stirring, for about 3 minutes until the pearls are lightly golden.
- Pour in 1 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth and 1 cup water, bring to a gentle boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed, then fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl combine 2 cucumbers (diced), 250g cherry tomatoes (halved), 3 cups baby spinach (finely sliced), ¼ cup coriander/cilantro (finely chopped), and ¼ cup dill (finely chopped).
- Whisk together 2 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 garlic clove (minced), 1 tsp sugar (optional), 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make the dressing.
- Fold the warm couscous into the vegetables and pour the dressing over, tossing gently until combined and letting flavors meld for 10 to 20 minutes.
Notes
For added protein, consider tossing in grilled chicken or chickpeas. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cooking Method Specified
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg