Lemon Herb Couscous Salad

$- 1 cup couscous - 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth (or water) - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cucumber, peeled and diced - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped Couscous is a tiny pasta made from semolina. It cooks quickly and has a light, fluffy texture. The fresh vegetables add color and crunch. I love cherry tomatoes for their sweetness. Cucumbers bring a refreshing bite. Red onion gives a sharp taste, while parsley and mint add a bright flavor. - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional) - Other vegetables Feta cheese adds a creamy, salty touch. You can swap it with other veggies like bell peppers or radishes. Feel free to mix it up with what you love. - Juice of 1 large lemon - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste The dressing is simple yet full of flavor. Lemon juice adds brightness. Olive oil gives richness. Adjust the salt and pepper to fit your taste. This dressing ties the salad together beautifully. {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Start by boiling the vegetable broth in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. 2. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add 1 cup of couscous. Stir it briefly to mix. 3. Take the saucepan off the heat. Cover it with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes. 1. While the couscous cooks, mix your fresh vegetables and herbs in a large bowl. 2. Add 1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 peeled and diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion. 3. Toss in 1/2 cup of chopped parsley and 1/4 cup of chopped mint. Stir gently to combine. 4. After 5 minutes, uncover the couscous and fluff it with a fork. Let it cool to room temperature. 1. In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of 1 large lemon, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. 2. Once the couscous has cooled, add it to the large bowl with the vegetables. 3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything together with a spatula. 4. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning, adding more lemon juice or salt if you like. 5. For the best flavor, let the salad sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving. - Adding additional lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice brightens the dish. Use fresh juice for the best taste. You can add more if you love a zesty kick. - Adjusting for seasoning: Always taste your salad before serving. If it seems bland, add salt, pepper, or more lemon juice. A little tweak can make a big difference. - Fluffing couscous properly: After cooking, use a fork to fluff the couscous. This keeps grains separate and gives a light texture. Do this gently to avoid mushiness. - Ideal resting time: Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows flavors to mix well and makes every bite tasty. - Presentation ideas: Serve your salad in a large, shallow bowl. Add lemon wedges and mint sprigs for color. This makes the dish look fresh and inviting. - Pairing with other dishes: Lemon Herb Couscous Salad pairs well with grilled meats or fish. It also goes great with a light soup or as a side for a picnic. Pro Tips Use Quality Broth: For a richer flavor, opt for a high-quality vegetable broth instead of water. This enhances the overall taste of the couscous salad. Chill Before Serving: Allow the salad to chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the salad become refreshing. Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add other ingredients like bell peppers, olives, or chickpeas for extra texture and flavor. Customize it to your taste! Fresh Herbs Matter: Always use fresh herbs like parsley and mint for the best flavor. Dried herbs won’t provide the same vibrant taste. {{image_4}} You can switch couscous for other grains like quinoa or bulgur. Quinoa adds a nice nutty taste. Bulgur cooks fast and gives a chewy bite. You can also try different herbs. Basil or dill can bring new flavors. Each herb changes the salad's vibe. Using seasonal vegetables makes this salad even better. In summer, add sweet corn and bell peppers. In fall, try roasted pumpkin or squash. For holidays, mix in cranberries or nuts for a festive touch. These changes keep the dish fresh and exciting. If you need gluten-free options, replace couscous with rice or quinoa. Both will still give you great texture. For vegan adaptations, skip the feta cheese. You can add avocado for creaminess instead. These swaps make the dish fit for everyone while keeping it tasty. To keep your Lemon Herb Couscous Salad fresh, use airtight containers. Glass or BPA-free plastic containers work best. They prevent air from entering and keep the salad crisp. Store your salad in the fridge for up to three days. After that, the flavors start to fade. You can freeze the couscous salad, but it may change texture. To freeze, place the salad in a freezer-safe container. Make sure to leave some space for expansion. It can last for about one month in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Serve it cold or at room temperature for the best taste. To avoid sogginess, store the salad without the dressing. Keep the dressing in a separate container. This way, the veggies stay crisp and fresh. Add the dressing just before serving. You can also add fresh herbs right before you eat for an extra flavor boost. You can store Lemon Herb Couscous Salad for up to three days in the fridge. Keep it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. The flavors taste best within the first two days. After that, the vegetables may start to lose their crunch. Yes, you can make this salad in advance. Prepare the couscous and mix in the veggies and herbs. Keep the dressing separate until you are ready to serve. This way, your salad stays fresh and crunchy. Just mix in the dressing about 30 minutes before serving. Lemon Herb Couscous Salad pairs well with many dishes. Here are some ideas: - Grilled chicken or fish for protein - Hummus and pita for a snack - Roasted vegetables for extra flavor - A light soup, like tomato or vegetable, to round out a meal These pairings will enhance your dining experience and bring out the best in your salad. This blog detailed how to make a tasty Lemon Herb Couscous Salad. You learned about the main ingredients, optional add-ins, and the best dressing to use. I shared step-by-step instructions to simplify cooking and provided tips to boost flavor and texture. You can even explore variations to fit your taste or dietary needs. As you make this salad, remember that it's all about balance. Enjoy trying new ingredients and fresh flavors, making this dish your own.$

Lemon Herb Couscous Salad

A refreshing salad with couscous, fresh vegetables, and herbs, dressed with lemon and olive oil.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 30

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup couscous
1.25 cups vegetable broth (or water)
0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 whole cucumber, peeled and diced
0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped
0.25 cup fresh mint, chopped
0.25 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
1 large lemon, juiced
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the vegetable broth to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the couscous, stirring briefly to ensure it is evenly distributed. Remove from heat, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes, allowing the couscous to absorb the liquid fully.
After 5 minutes, uncover the saucepan and fluff the couscous gently with a fork to separate the grains. Allow the couscous to cool to room temperature before proceeding to the next steps.
In a large mixing bowl, add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, chopped parsley, chopped mint, and optional crumbled feta cheese. Toss the ingredients gently to combine.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper until the dressing is well blended.
Once the couscous has cooled, add it to the bowl with the vegetable mixture. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the top and gently toss with a spatula or wooden spoon to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary. For a more vibrant flavor, consider adding additional lemon juice or salt according to your preference.
For optimal flavor, let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Notes

For an inviting look, serve the salad in a large, shallow dish. Garnish with extra lemon wedges and a few sprigs of fresh mint or parsley.

Keyword couscous, fresh herbs, lemon, salad, vegetarian