Festive Couscous Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous (dry)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 0.5 cucumber (diced)
• 0.5 red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.5 yellow bell pepper (diced)
• 0.25 red onion (finely diced)
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 tbsp fresh mint (chopped)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon juice (juiced)
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Place 1 cup of dry couscous in a heat-proof bowl.

2. 2

   Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the couscous, cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the water is fully absorbed.

3. 3

   While the couscous sits, dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion into small, uniform pieces.

4. 4

   Finely chop the fresh parsley and mint.

5. 5

   Once the couscous is ready, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains.

6. 6

   Add the diced vegetables and chopped herbs to the fluffed couscous.

7. 7

   In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

8. 8

   Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.

9. 9

   Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

This salad is highly versatile; you can add chickpeas for protein or feta cheese for a salty tang. It pairs exceptionally well with lamb stew or grilled prawns.

Nutrition per serving

• salad
• side dish
• vegetarian
• healthy
• festive
• no-cook
• meal prep