Description
Mediterranean Moroccan couscous salad with lime basil vinaigrette brings tangy freshness to summer dining. Delicate pearls of grain blend with crisp vegetables, creating a light and zesty side dish you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (240 ml) cucumber, diced
- ½ cup (120 ml) red bell pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup (60 ml) crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup (60 ml) toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Couscous Preparation: Cascade boiling water over couscous grains, seal the bowl, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Delicately separate the grains using a fork to achieve a light, fluffy consistency.
- Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk or shake olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, mustard, honey, garlic, chopped basil, salt, and pepper in a sealed container until thoroughly combined, creating a zesty and smooth dressing.
- Salad Assembly: Merge couscous with diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and additional basil leaves in a large mixing bowl. Generously sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts throughout the mixture to enhance texture and flavor profile.
- Final Touches: Cascade the lime basil vinaigrette over the salad, gently folding to ensure uniform coating. Calibrate seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately for optimal freshness or chill to allow flavors to harmonize and intensify.
Notes
- Fluff Wisely: Use a fork to gently separate couscous grains, preventing clumping and ensuring a light, airy texture.
- Vinaigrette Mixing Magic: Shake ingredients in a sealed jar for quick, thorough blending and emulsification of dressing components.
- Herb Freshness Hack: Add fresh basil just before serving to maintain crisp flavor and prevent wilting in the salad.
- Customize with Confidence: Swap feta for vegan cheese, add grilled chicken for protein, or include quinoa for a gluten-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg