Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Method5 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Whisk the lemon (1 large) juice, ⅓ cup dressing olive oil, dried dill (1 teaspoon) and minced garlic (1–2) in a large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then set the dressing aside.

   Uses 1 large lemon, juiced · ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil for dressing · 1 teaspoon dried dill · 1–2 garlic cloves, minced · Salt, to taste · Black pepper, to taste

2. 2

   Step 2: Heat the separate 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the dry pearl couscous (2 cups) and stir until the pearls are golden.

   Uses 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil for toasting couscous · 2 cups dry pearl couscous

3. 3

   Step 3: Add boiling water to the toasted couscous from step 2, using the quantity required by its package; 3 cups is the recipe’s guide. Cook according to the package directions until the pearls are tender, then drain and let them cool. Meanwhile, prepare the chopped vegetables and drain the canned chickpeas and artichokes.

   Uses Toasted pearl couscous and its olive oil · Boiling water for pearl couscous: 3 cups as a guide, or its package quantity

4. 4

   Step 4: Drain and rinse the chickpeas, and drain and roughly chop the artichoke hearts. Add both to the dressing from step 1 with the halved tomatoes, finely chopped onion and cucumber, and pitted olives. Fold in the drained, cooled couscous from step 3, then the chopped or torn basil (15–20) and optional mozzarella.

   Uses Lemon-dill dressing · 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved · ⅓ cup finely chopped red onion · ½ English cucumber, finely chopped · 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed · Clean water, enough to rinse the drained canned chickpeas · 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped · ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives

5. 5

   Step 5: Serve the complete couscous salad from step 4, adding the optional extra basil garnish as desired.

   Uses Complete dressed salad; rinsing water and drained can liquid excluded · Additional fresh basil for garnish, as desired