Cold Couscous Salad with Vegies

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups pearl couscous 

 Salt and fresh ground black pepper 

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 

1 clove garlic. minced

2 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice

1 medium cucumber, deseeded, diced 

1 large tomato, diced or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

4 oz Feta Cheese, crumbled

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs; fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or mint 

Directions 

Cook Couscous as directed on box.

While the couscous cooks, in a large bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the drained couscous to the dressing and mix well. 

Stir in the cucumber, tomato, herbs, olives and Feta. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and/or pepper as needed. Enjoy warm or cover then refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.

Pickled Red Onions

 

Ingredients

• 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sumac
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

Instructions

• Combine the ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the onion slices with vinegar, sumac, salt, parsley, and mint.
• Toss everything together: Use your hands to toss everything together, massaging gently.
• Let it sit: Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Serve: Use immediately or store in the fridge in a tightly covered jar for up to 1 week.

Notes

• Switch it up: If you don’t have a red onion on hand use a white or yellow one.
• Vinegar: I prefer red wine vinegar for this recipe, but you can use white wine vinegar as well. The flavor might be a little sharper and the color won’t be as bright, but the pickled onion will still taste amazing

Zesty no mayo tuna salad dressing

 

For 15 oz of tuna:

• ▢2 1/2 teaspoon good quality Dijon mustard
• ▢Zest of 1 lime
• ▢1 1/2 limes, juice of
• ▢1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ▢1/2 tsp sumac
• ▢Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
• ▢1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional