Imagine a vibrant, zesty salad that transports you to the sun-drenched coastlines of the Mediterranean with every single bite. This Quick Couscous Vegetable Salad isn't just another side dish – it's a flavor explosion that will revolutionize your meal prep and tantalize your taste buds! Perfect for busy home cooks who crave something delicious yet incredibly simple, this recipe proves that gourmet-style meals can be whipped up in mere minutes.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 1/4 cups boiling water
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by measuring out 1 cup of couscous and placing it in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate pot, bring 1 1/4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully pour the water over the couscous in the mixing bowl.
- Cover the bowl with a lid or a clean kitchen towel and let the couscous steam for about 5 minutes, allowing it to absorb the water.
- While the couscous is steaming, prepare the vegetables. Dice 1 cucumber and halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Set aside.
- After the couscous has steamed, remove the cover and fluff it gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- Add the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup of chopped parsley to the bowl with the couscous.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Pour this dressing over the couscous and vegetable mixture.
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
- Serve the Quick Couscous Vegetable Salad chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Tips
- • Use boiling water for the most fluffy and perfectly cooked couscous texture • Let the couscous steam covered for exactly 5 minutes to ensure optimal absorption • Dice vegetables uniformly for a consistent and visually appealing salad • For extra flavor, consider adding crumbled feta cheese or toasted pine nuts • Allow the salad to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together • This salad tastes even better when chilled, making it a fantastic make-ahead dish • For a protein boost, add chickpeas or grilled chicken
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 124kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
