Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 8 servings
- Calories
- 411
- Total Fat
- 18
- Saturated Fat
- 2
- Carbohydrates
- 54
- Dietary Fiber
- 5
- Sugar
- 3
- Protein
- 10
- Cholesterol
- 0
- Sodium
- 188
- Total: 55 min
- Prep: 20 min
- Cook: 35 min
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil (1 tablespoon for the tomatoes and 1 tablespoon to toss with the couscous)
4 yellow tomatoes
1 pound Israeli couscous (pearl pasta)
1 red bell pepper, stems and seeds removed and cut brunoise
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, packed plus a few small sprigs for garnish
1 (8-ounce) jar picked cipollini onions
2 English cucumbers, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick disks
Dressing:
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed with the side of a knife blade and quartered
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil on the tomatoes (reserving the rest) and roast for about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool, and cut into wedges.
- Boil couscous until al dente as you would for pasta, drain well, and toss with 1 tablespoon reserved olive oil.
- For the dressing, add the vinegar to a blender and replace the cover. Turn on the blender and through the feed opening add, 1 at a time, the garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Leaving the blender running, add the olive oil in a slow thin stream. Set aside briefly.
- Toss together the couscous, tomatoes, bell pepper, mint leaves, cipollini onions, and cucumber with enough of the dressing to coat. Serve additional dressing on the side.