“ In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine.” — Robin Leach
Hi there,
Well here it is the end of summer and fate has decreed that I would not spend a portion of it gazing out at the Mediterranean Sea, sigh😔 Instead I am at Trader Joe’s hoping for inspiration for a dinner that will take my taste buds back to sitting in a cafe by the sea, sipping some rose and eating something filled with the fresh flavors of summer. A tall order I will admit but my muse didn’t let me down. Sitting in the produce section was this wonderful little package filled with diced summer vegetables –
As I strolled down another isle, a box of pearl couscous spoke to me. With a funny Greek accent it said, γεια σου κυρία θα μπορούσαμε να φτιάξουμε μια όμορφη σαλάτα μαζί. (Hey there lady, we could make a beautiful salad together.) With the soundtrack from Zorba the Greek playing in my ear, I headed home to cook.
Time to put on your apron!
Pearl Coucous and Vegetable Hash
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- 1 package of Trader Joe’s vegetable hash
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pearl couscous and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and garlic and cook until softened about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the vegetable hash to the skillet and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked to your desired tenderness.
- Combine the cooked pearl couscous with the cooked vegetable hash.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the salad and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top the salad with fresh parsley for garnish.
This delicious pearl couscous and vegetable hash salad is easy to make and absolutely bursting with flavors. It is wonderful served warm, cold, or at room temperature. Try serving it with this recipe for lemon shrimp: https://newclassicrecipe.com/2022/08/23/lemon-shrimp-cocktail-nothing-small-about-the-taste/ Enjoy!
30 responses to “Mediterranean Couscous Salad – an easy peasy summer side dish”
How fun! I love easy recipes like this, and how easily the ingredients found you!
Two things: first, love the refreshing nature of this and will share the recipe…two, what a place to eat it – that last shot has given me so much #wanderlust!
I hear you John. The Mediterranean is an amazing place to visit. Thanks for the shout out.
A wonderful vibrant ,healthy salad I must admit couscous is something I very rarely use ..no reason I just don’t and maybe this is the place to start,,.Thank for sharing this lovely recipe 🙂
I love Trader Joe’s, and it’s fun to go in there and poke around! You found great things for your virtual trip to the beautiful Mediterranean!
It is a great store for inspiration.
This recipe is right up my alley! Greece is on my Bucket list, Thanks for the recipe!
Greece is spectacular. I hope you get there soon.
This looks delicious! Thank you🙂
You are most welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Love the combination of vegetables and couscous as a starter or a side dish.
Tasty and healthy combination of pasta and veggies! I would probably top it with some crumbled Feta cheese, to make it even more “Greek”. 🙂
Yum! Good idea.
You are so right Ronit, it is a great idea.
I would never think to buy a vegetable hash, but it looks pretty darn good! Great salad.
Trader Joe’s is a far cry from the Mediterranean, but I’m pleased to see that you turned your longing into such a tasty meal!
Well, it was that Greek guy flirting with me that helped.
Hahaha!
If I could sit at that little table with the beautiful blue water round me I would eat that tumble of vegetables and pasta with delight.:))
Don’t forget the rose’.
sounds delicious and healthy.
Thanks Sherry, it was a double header – easy and delicious.
Love this – ““In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine.” — Robin Leach.” The recipe looks delicious!
Thanks Mary. Don’t you wish it were so everywhere?
I love Trader Joe’s and this looks like a great salad, love your dish too!
Thanks Diane. A lot o readers suggested some sprinkled feta on top and I think that would be a great addition if you decide to make it.
How nice to find a package of already prepped veggies as inspiration for your salad.
Karen, I love a shortcut. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Bernadette, this is such an entertaining post. Thanks for the lovely recipe
Thanks Robbie.