Are you ready to whip up a delicious and easy meal that’s perfect for any occasion? My Couscous Salad with Feta Cheese is not only quick to make, but it’s also packed with flavor and freshness! Grab your ingredients, and let’s dive into this tasty recipe that will have everyone asking for more!
Ingredients for a Quick Couscous Salad
If you’re ready to whip up a delicious Couscous Salad in no time, let’s gather our ingredients! This salad is simple, fresh, and oh-so-satisfying. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Couscous: 1 1/4 cups of dried couscous. It’s like tiny pasta, so cute and versatile!
- Boiled Water: 1 1/4 cups, just enough to hydrate that couscous.
- Vegetable Stock Powder: 1 teaspoon for added flavor magic!
- Garlic: 1 minced clove – because garlic makes everything better, right?
- Spices: 1 teaspoon of coriander powder (or cumin if you prefer) to spice things up!
- Chickpeas: 400 grams (1 can), drained. They add a nice nutty texture!
- Fresh Herbs: 1/2 cup each of chopped coriander and parsley. Feel free to swap in mint if that’s your jam!
- Red Onion: 1, chopped. This will give our salad a nice crunch.
- Sun Dried Tomatoes: 220 grams, in oil. The star ingredient for flavor!
- Rocket (Arugula): 120 grams, chopped into bite-sized pieces. It adds a peppery zing!
- Lemon: Zest of 1 large lemon and juice from 2 large lemons for that refreshing kick!
- Feta Cheese: 60 grams, crumbled on top, because who can resist feta?
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, of course!
With these ingredients, we’ll create a salad that’s bursting with flavor and texture! Imagine the sweetness of sun dried tomatoes, the crunch of chickpeas, and the tangy feta all coming together in one bowl. Yummy!
Now, who’s ready to get chopping and mixing? You’ll have this salad ready in just 12 minutes! Let’s not delay the deliciousness! 🎉
How to Prepare the Sun Dried Tomato Dressing
Now, let’s talk about the dressing! This isn’t just any dressing; it’s the secret weapon that brings the whole Couscous Salad to life. Using sun dried tomatoes in oil adds a unique depth of flavor that’s hard to resist! Here’s how I make it:
- Get Your Sun Dried Tomatoes: I love using a jar of sun dried tomatoes packed in oil. The oil is full of rich flavor, and it’s super convenient! Just grab that jar and let’s get started.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add your sun dried tomatoes. I use about 220 grams. You’ll want to include all that tasty oil too! It’s like liquid gold for our salad.
- Add Some Zing: Squeeze in the lemon juice from about two large lemons. This adds a bright touch that balances the richness of the tomatoes. Don’t forget the zest! The zest from one lemon adds an extra pop of flavor that’s simply fabulous!
- Season It Up: Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. You can always adjust this later!
- Mix It Well: Give everything a good stir. The oil, tomato, and lemon should blend together nicely, creating a luscious dressing that you can’t wait to pour over your salad.
When everything comes together, you’ll be amazed at how simple ingredients can create such a fantastic dressing! It’s perfect over the salad, but I sometimes find myself drizzling a little extra on my plate just because it’s that good.
So, are you ready to dress up your salad with this easy and flavorful concoction? Let’s keep the delicious momentum going!
Serving Suggestions for Couscous Salad
Now that we have our Couscous Salad all prepped and dressed, let’s talk about how to serve it! This salad is not just quick and easy; it’s also super versatile! Whether you want a light meal or a scrumptious side, I’ve got some fun ideas for you!
- As a Main Dish: This salad can definitely stand on its own! With all those tasty ingredients like chickpeas, feta, and sun dried tomatoes, it’s packed with flavor and nutrition. It’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner! You can even throw in some grilled chicken or shrimp if you’re feeling extra hungry!
- Great Side Dish: Serve this salad alongside your favorite grilled meats or Mediterranean dishes. It pairs beautifully with:
– Chicken Shawarma
– Lamb Koftas
– Turkish Kebabs
– Moroccan Lamb Meatballs
The bright flavors of the salad balance out the richness of these dishes perfectly!
- Picnic Perfect: Planning a picnic? This salad is an absolute must! It’s easy to pack, stays fresh for hours, and tastes even better after some time in the fridge. Just toss it into a container, grab some forks, and you’re ready to go!
- Garnishing Options: To take your salad to the next level, think about adding some crunchy toppings. A sprinkle of toasted nuts or seeds can give it a delightful crunch. Fresh herbs like more parsley or mint can add extra freshness.
- Serving Size: This recipe serves about 5 as a main dish and can easily feed 8 to 10 as a side. So, it’s perfect for gatherings with friends or family!
Remember, the best part about this salad is how customizable it is! You can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste. So, grab your bowl, serve it up, and let the flavors shine! Who’s ready to dig in? 🎉
Tips for Making Ahead and Storing Couscous Salad
If you’re anything like me, you love a recipe that you can make ahead of time! This Couscous Salad is not only quick to prepare, but it also keeps well, making it a great choice for meal prep. Here are my top tips for making this salad ahead of time and storing it properly!
- Make It Fresh: You can prepare the salad a day or two in advance. The flavors really meld together as it sits in the fridge. Just be sure to add the feta cheese just before serving, so it stays fresh and doesn’t get too mushy!
- Store Correctly: Transfer any leftover salad into an airtight container. This keeps the salad fresh and prevents it from drying out. Also, pop it in the fridge! It can last for about 2 days when stored properly. Just give it a good stir before serving again to mix everything back together!
- Make Components Separately: If I know I’ll want to have this salad throughout the week, I like to prepare the components separately. I’ll store:
– The couscous mixture in one container.
– The dressing in another.
– Add the fresh herbs and rocket (arugula) just before serving for that crisp, fresh taste!
- Adjust Seasoning: When you’re ready to serve the salad again, taste it! Sometimes, it might need a little extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice after sitting. Adjust it to your liking!
- Perfect for Lunches: This salad is fantastic for lunch! You can pack it in a lunchbox, and it stays hearty without wilting. Just think about how great it is to enjoy a delicious, healthy meal at work or on the go!
With these tips, you can enjoy the delightful flavors of your Couscous Salad any day of the week! So, roll up those sleeves, whip up a big batch, and get ready for some yummy meals ahead! 🎉