This fruit, herb and feta Israeli couscous salad is light and refreshing with fresh fruit and cooling herbs, but filling enough to be a great lunch or side.
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I've mentioned before that warm days make me want salad for lunch as I don't want anything too heavy. That said, I equally don't want to feel hungry after I've eaten.
This fruit, herb and feta Israeli couscous salad is great for warm days as it has lots of juicy fresh fruit in there along with cooling herbs to be light and refreshing, but filling enough to keep you going.
What is Israeli couscous?
Israeli couscous, also called pearled or giant couscous, is basically a larger version of regular couscous. It's a small, round pasta, and it's pretty versatile.
I used it before in my Israeli couscous with grilled vegetables as either a main or along with simple grilled shrimp or meat, but it's also great in various salads. Plus, you can toast it before cooking which adds a nice flavor to it.
How to make this summery couscous salad
This salad could hardly be easier to make as all you need to cook is the couscous and you can get everything else ready while it's cooking. Most of that is just a bit of chopping up as well.
If you think the fruit, herbs and feta is a weird combination, believe me, it really works. The sweet and salty mix, along with the fresh mint in particular, work perfectly to balance each other out.
Make ahead options
If you prefer, you can cook the couscous a day or two ahead, store it in the fridge, then just make everything up when you need it. To save the couscous sticking to itself too much, stir through a little olive oil after you drain it.
You can also make the whole salad a few hours ahead to take with you for lunch or a potluck as it's pretty robust - just refrigerate until needed. The only thing is remember it is still full of fresh fruit and herbs so don't expect it to last a few days without the fruit becoming a bit mushy.
This is a salad I have on my list for summer lunchboxes, along with my calamari salad, French lentil salad with feta and fennel and a few more.
This fruit, herb and feta Israeli couscous salad is light, refreshing and colorful. Plus, it's packed with healthy goodness and quick to make. I know some people have a thing about fruit in salads, but to me, you can hardly get a better combination for a summer lunch/side.
Try these other summer salads:
- Grilled nectarine salad
- Mexican street corn salad
- Caprese quinoa salad with beets and avocado
- Tropical fruit salad
- Plus get more summer recipes in the archives.
Fruit, herb and feta Israeli couscous salad
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup Israeli couscous
- 1 ¼ cup water 300ml
- 1 cup watermelon 170g, diced
- 1 nectarine or peach
- 3 oz feta 80g
- ½ cup blueberries 80g
- ¼ cup mint 4tbsp, chopped (fresh)
- ¼ cup parsley 4tbsp, chopped (fresh)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Warm 2tbsp olive oil in a pan then toast the couscous until lightly brown - about 3-5min. Add the water, cover and bring to a bil then reduce the heat so it simmers. Cook until the water is absorbed -about 10min. Allow the couscous to cool - you can help it along by rinsing in cold water.
- While the couscous is cooking and cooling, dice the watermelon and nectarine/peach into bite-sized pieces. Chop or break up the feta into small chunks and chop the mint and parsley - a rough chop is fine.
- Dress the cooled couscous with the lemon juice, oil and a few grinds of salt and pepper. Toss so it is well-coated. Add the rest of the ingredients, toss, and serve.
Nutrition
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Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale says
This is such a pretty salad! The fruit and couscous look like the perfect combination. I look forward to making this. YUM!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it's a really tasty combination, and I love the colors as well.
Brian Jones says
I love the sound of this, such a great summer salad, my stash of Isreali couscous is empty so I have a 150km round trip to top it up... But it is worthwhile!
I love the addition of the nectarine it will add a lovely sweetness and sharpness to the recipe!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it is indeed perfect for summer!
Beth says
I absolutely love fruits in salads! It adds a whole different dimension! I have only had the Israeli couscous. It's so good!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I agree fruit can be great and the fruits here, especially with the herbs, add a lovely freshness.
Frugal Hausfrau says
So fresh and pretty - I am just going to have to search out some of that couscous!! Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Mollie, I found with the couscous that it's actually more available than you might think once you look for it.
Ahila says
Love the mix of fruits, herb and cheese in a couscous salad. Thanks for sharing it at #SaucySaturdays
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Ahila, it's definitely a tasty mix!