Description
A fresh and light couscous salad with sweet peas, salty feta, herbs, and a bright basil vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry couscous
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas, thawed if frozen
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- For the basil vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the couscous in a heatproof bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil to keep it light and separate. Let it cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, basil, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the couscous, peas, feta, red onion, basil, and parsley.
- Pour the basil vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss until everything is well coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Let the salad sit for a few minutes so the flavors can meld, then serve.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for a more filling dish.
- For extra crunch, add toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds.
- Swap feta for goat cheese for a different flavor variation.
- Add diced cucumber for extra freshness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve cold, slightly warm, or at room temperature.
- If the salad dries out, refresh it with a drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Quinoa, bulgur, or orzo can be used instead of couscous.
- For dairy-free, omit the feta or use a dairy-free alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (about 1 1/4 cups)
- Calories: 404
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 454mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 13mg
