Spontaneous Couscous
Bright, fresh, and ready in just 15 minutes, Spontaneous Couscous is your new go-to recipe for quick meals or light side dishes. Featuring tender, fluffy couscous infused with savory vegetable broth, this dish is elevated with bursts of flavor from juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy red onion. A generous toss of fresh parsley, lemon zest, and crumbled feta cheese adds Mediterranean flair, while a touch of paprika and black pepper rounds out the seasoning. With minimal prep and versatile serving options—enjoy it warm or chilled—this vibrant couscous salad is perfect for easy weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1.25 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 small (diced) cucumber
- 0.5 small (minced) red onion
- 0.5 cup (chopped) parsley
- 1 large (zested and juiced) lemon
- 0.5 cup (crumbled) feta cheese
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 cup of couscous. Cover the pan with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the broth.
While the couscous rests, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, mince the red onion, and chop the parsley.
Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the couscous and mix gently.
Transfer the couscous to a large serving bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, feta cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the salad, and sprinkle salt, black pepper, and paprika for seasoning. Toss everything together until well combined.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour for a chilled version.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
839 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 48.0 g | 62% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.0 g | 75% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 3069 mg | 133% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 81.9 g | 30% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.5 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.6 g | ||
| Protein | 26.3 g | 53% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 535 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 6.2 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 1543 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
