Craving a Mediterranean escape that fits perfectly into your busy lunch routine? Look no further than this mouthwatering Mediterranean Couscous recipe that will transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean in just 20 minutes! Packed with vibrant colors, fresh ingredients, and explosive flavors, this dish is not just a meal – it's a culinary journey that promises to revolutionize your lunch game and leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by measuring out 1 cup of couscous and set it aside.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the broth is boiling, add the couscous to the saucepan. Stir briefly to combine, then remove the saucepan from heat.
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the couscous sit for about 5 minutes, allowing it to absorb the broth and soften.
- While the couscous is resting, prepare the vegetables. Halve 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, dice 1/2 cup of cucumber, and finely dice 1/4 cup of red onion.
- Next, slice 1/4 cup of Kalamata olives and crumble 1/4 cup of feta cheese.
- After the couscous has absorbed the broth, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the fluffed couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice over the mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss all the ingredients together gently until well combined, ensuring the couscous is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Let the Mediterranean Couscous sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the couscous warm or at room temperature, garnished with additional feta cheese or olives if desired.
Tips
- For the best texture, use hot vegetable broth and let the couscous rest covered to ensure perfect absorption.
- Choose ripe, sweet cherry tomatoes and crisp cucumber for maximum flavor and freshness.
- If you prefer a more intense flavor, consider toasting the couscous in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before adding broth.
- Experiment with herb additions like fresh chopped parsley or mint to enhance the Mediterranean profile.
- For a protein boost, add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tuna to make the dish more substantial.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice to elevate the dressing's taste.
- Allow the salad to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together beautifully.
- For a vegan version, simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 10mg
