Lemony Israeli Couscous Salad

This Mediterranean Israeli couscous (or pearl couscous) salad is an easy-to-prepare plant-based dish that can be enjoyed for lunches and dinners! It showcases chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, parsley, and a lemon dressing along with chewy and slightly nutty Israeli couscous. The salad will keep for about 3 days in the fridge. This dish can be jazzed up with the addition or substitution of other vegetables and legumes or can be modified with other grains already in your pantry such as regular couscous, quinoa, farro, bulgur, orzo, wild rice, etc.

Servings: 6 servings Individual Portion: 1 1/2 cup

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15-20 minutes Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups water 1 cup Israeli couscous (pearl couscous), dry, uncooked 1 teaspoon coarse or Kosher salt, divided

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 (15-ounces) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas) 1 English cucumber, sliced

1 pint (10-ounces) grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup kalamata olives, drained/rinsed and halved

1/3 cup red onion, diced

1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Feta cheese and additional parsley for garnish

Directions:

1. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup Israeli / pearl couscous and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Return to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain off remaining water and allow to cool.

2. While couscous is cooking or cooling, prepare salad dressing. In a small bowl or mason jar, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper together. Allow to sit on the side while preparing salad components.

3. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and parsley. Mix in the cooled couscous.

4. Add salad dressing and mix well. Garnish with feta cheese and additional parsley. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts: Serving size: 1 cup | Calories: 272 | Total Fat: 13 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 580 mg | Total Carbs: 33 g | Dietary Fiber: 6 g | Sugars: 4 g | Protein: 7 g

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