Mediterranean Light's Red Couscous Vegan

Elevate your plant-based meal game with "Mediterranean Light's Red Couscous Vegan," a vibrant and wholesome dish packed with fresh, bold flavors. Featuring tender red couscous as the base, this recipe is paired with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny Kalamata olives, and a tangy lemon-cumin dressing, creating a perfect harmony of tastes and textures. Fresh parsley and mint lend an aromatic twist, while paprika and black pepper add a gentle kick of spice. Quick to prepare in just 25 minutes, this vegan Mediterranean-inspired recipe is ideal as a light main course or a colorful side dish. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing, healthy option that's both easy and delightful. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or any occasion—this red couscous salad is a must-try for Mediterranean food lovers!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Red couscous
• 1.5 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 large Lemon (juiced)
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 medium Cucumber (diced)
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives (pitted, sliced)
• 0.25 cup Red onion (finely chopped)
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh mint leaves (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring 1.5 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the red couscous and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 5-7 minutes until the couscous absorbs all the water.

Step 2

Fluff the couscous with a fork to break up any clumps and allow it to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced Kalamata olives, and finely chopped red onion.

Step 4

Chop the fresh parsley and mint leaves and add them to the bowl of vegetables.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the juice of one large lemon, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss to combine.

Step 7

Add the fluffed couscous to the bowl with the vegetables and dressing. Gently toss until everything is evenly combined.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.

Step 9

Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, then serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1282.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	859.5

Total Fat 50.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2196.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.6g	0%
Total Sugars 12.7g
Protein 17.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 484.8mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 2175.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.4%

Protein: 8.0%

Carbs: 39.6%