Description
Light Mediterranean Couscous Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances fresh vegetables, wholesome grains, and zesty dressing. This delightful salad is ideal for summer picnics, light lunches, or as a colorful side at your dinner parties. With its quick preparation time of just 25 minutes and versatility as either a main course or side dish, it’s a go-to recipe for any occasion. Packed with nutrients from chickpeas and an array of vegetables, this salad not only pleases the palate but also promotes healthy eating. Enjoy it fresh or make it ahead of time to let the flavors meld beautifully.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick-cooking couscous
- 1/2 cup roma tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh herbs (parsley, mint, basil)
- Olive oil and lemon juice for dressing
Instructions
- Boil 1 cup of water with ½ teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Stir in the couscous and cover; let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
- Dice all vegetables into uniform pieces while couscous cooks.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous with all diced vegetables along with chickpeas, olives, and feta cheese.
- For the dressing, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon peel, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to combine. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course/Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize by adding grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. For added crunch, include nuts or seeds like almonds or sunflower seeds. Chill the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving to enhance flavor.