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- 1 cup couscous - 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth or water - 1 medium cucumber, diced - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped - Zest and juice of 1 lemon - 3 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this dish shine. First, couscous serves as the base of our recipe. It cooks quickly and has a light, fluffy texture. You’ll need one cup of couscous. Next, the liquid. Use either vegetable broth or water, about 1 1/4 cups, to give flavor to the couscous. Fresh vegetables add color and crunch. A medium cucumber diced, a cup of halved cherry tomatoes, and half a finely chopped red onion work wonders. Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced, add a briny kick. For that creamy texture, crumbled feta cheese is essential. You’ll want half a cup. Herbs bring the dish to life. Fresh parsley and mint add bright notes. You’ll need a quarter cup of parsley and two tablespoons of mint. Then, we have the star of the show: the lemon. Zest and juice from one lemon will add brightness. Finally, three tablespoons of olive oil, along with salt and pepper, complete the flavor profile. These ingredients blend together to create a fresh, vibrant dish perfect for any meal. 1. Boiling the broth or water: Start by pouring 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth or water into a medium saucepan. Heat it over high heat until it reaches a rolling boil. 2. Cooking and fluffing the couscous: Once the broth boils, add 1 cup of couscous. Remove the pan from heat and cover it. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. The couscous needs this time to soak up the liquid. 3. Cooling the couscous: After 5 minutes, use a fork to fluff the couscous. This helps separate the grains. Then, set it aside to cool slightly. 1. Mixing vegetables and olives: While the couscous cools, grab a large mixing bowl. Add diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and sliced Kalamata olives. Stir them together gently. 2. Adding couscous to the vegetable mixture: Once the couscous cools, add it to the bowl of veggies. Toss everything together to mix well, ensuring all flavors blend. 1. Whisking together dressing ingredients: In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use a whisk to mix everything until it’s smooth. 2. Coating the couscous mixture: Pour the dressing over the couscous mix. Toss gently until everything is coated with the dressing. 3. Finishing touches: Next, fold in crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and mint. Mix carefully so you don’t break the cheese. Now, you have a bright and tasty Lemon Herb Mediterranean Couscous ready to serve! Enjoy the fresh flavors in every bite. To get the best couscous, fluff it well. After cooking, use a fork to gently pull the couscous apart. This keeps it light and airy. Let it cool slightly before mixing. This helps the flavors blend well. Adjust the salt and acidity to your taste. Start with a pinch of salt. Taste, then add more if needed. A splash of lemon juice brightens the dish. Serve it cold or at room temperature for the best taste. Make your dish look amazing by plating it nicely. Use a large bowl or individual plates. Top with extra lemon wedges and fresh herbs. This adds color and makes it more inviting. Garnishing with a sprinkle of feta also adds charm. {{image_2}} You can swap couscous for quinoa or bulgur. Both options work well and add different textures. If you want more crunch, try farro or barley. For vegetables, feel free to use bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. They add color and flavor. If you prefer a different cheese, try goat cheese or ricotta. Both will change the taste but still keep it fresh. To boost the flavor, add spices like cumin or paprika. These spices add warmth to the dish. Fresh herbs like dill or basil can also elevate the taste. For proteins, grilled chicken or shrimp works great. They make the dish heartier. Even canned chickpeas are a good option for a plant-based boost. You can easily adjust this dish for different seasons. In spring, add peas or asparagus for freshness. Summer is great for ripe tomatoes and fresh corn. In fall, roasted squash can add a lovely sweetness. In winter, you can include hearty greens like kale. Always look for fresh, seasonal ingredients. They make the dish vibrant and tasty. Store your Lemon Herb Mediterranean Couscous in airtight containers. Glass or plastic containers work well. Keep it in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing. To reheat couscous, you can use a microwave or stovetop. For the microwave, place the couscous in a bowl and add a splash of water. Cover it and heat in short bursts, stirring in between. On the stovetop, add a little water in a pan. Heat gently while stirring. This helps keep the texture and flavor intact. Before freezing, let the couscous cool completely. Spoon it into freezer-safe bags or containers. Try to remove as much air as possible. When you want to use it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. You can also use the microwave for quick thawing. Avoid refreezing once it has thawed, as this affects the quality. Couscous cooks quickly. It usually takes about 5 minutes. You just need to boil water or broth, add couscous, and cover. Let it sit, and it will absorb the liquid. Fluff it up with a fork, and it’s ready! Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Cook the couscous and cool it down first. Mix it with veggies and dressing later. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days! This couscous pairs well with many foods. You can serve it with grilled chicken, fish, or lamb. It also goes great with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables. You can use gluten-free couscous or swap it for quinoa. Both options work well in this recipe. Adjust the cooking time as needed for quinoa. Absolutely! You can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for protein. Just mix them in after you combine the couscous with vegetables. This makes the dish more filling. Couscous is light yet satisfying. It’s high in carbs, giving you energy. It also has some protein and fiber. Plus, it’s low in fat. This makes it a good choice for many diets. This blog post covered delicious Lemon Herb Mediterranean Couscous. I shared ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for perfecting this dish. You learned ways to adjust for different seasons and how to store leftovers. With all these ideas, you can create a tasty meal that looks great too. Enjoy exploring flavors, colors, and textures in your cooking. The best part? You make it your own each time!

Lemon Herb Mediterranean Couscous

Discover the deliciousness of Lemon Herb Mediterranean Couscous, a refreshing and vibrant dish that’s easy to make! This colorful salad features fluffy couscous, fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a zesty lemon dressing that brings everything together. Perfect for any meal or as a lovely side dish, it's sure to impress. Click to explore this quick recipe and brighten up your dining table with these delightful flavors!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup couscous

1 1/4 cups vegetable broth or water

1 medium cucumber, diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

3 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth (or water) to a boil. Add the couscous, remove from heat, and cover. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the couscous absorbs the liquid.

    Once the couscous is cooked, fluff it with a fork and allow it to cool slightly.

      In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and sliced Kalamata olives.

        Add the cooled couscous to the vegetable mixture and gently toss to combine.

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

            Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss until everything is well coated.

              Carefully fold in the crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and mint, ensuring they are evenly distributed.

                Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.

                  Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4

                    - Presentation Tips: Serve the couscous in a large serving bowl or individual plates, garnished with additional lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a vibrant display.