Imagine a vibrant, refreshing dish that captures the essence of spring in every single bite - a Mediterranean-inspired couscous salad that will transform your ordinary lunch into a culinary adventure! This incredibly easy-to-make Spring Couscous Salad with Feta, Avocado, and Herbs is not just a recipe; it's a celebration of fresh ingredients, bright flavors, and quick, nutritious cooking that will make your taste buds dance with joy.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and add couscous, stirring gently to combine.
- Cover the saucepan and let the couscous sit for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to absorb the liquid completely. After resting, fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains.
- While the couscous is resting, prepare the fresh vegetables. Dice the avocado into small, uniform cubes. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Finely chop fresh parsley and mint, ensuring herbs are evenly cut for consistent flavor distribution.
- Transfer the fluffed couscous to a large mixing bowl. Allow it to cool slightly for 3-4 minutes to prevent wilting the herbs.
- Add diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and mint to the couscous.
- Gently fold all ingredients together, being careful not to mash the avocado.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salad and give a final gentle toss to combine all ingredients.
- Serve immediately at room temperature, or chill for 30 minutes if you prefer a cold salad.
Tips
- Use warm vegetable broth for the most fluffy and flavorful couscous texture.
- Let the couscous rest and cool slightly before adding fresh herbs to prevent wilting.
- Choose ripe but firm avocados to ensure they don't turn mushy when mixing.
- For extra flavor, try toasting the couscous lightly in a pan before adding broth.
- Use fresh herbs whenever possible - they make a significant difference in taste and aroma.
- If preparing in advance, add avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Experiment with additional ingredients like cucumber or olives for variety.
- For a protein boost, add grilled chicken or chickpeas to the salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
