Description
At its heart, the Roasted Cherry Tomato and Couscous Salad is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that beautifully combines fresh produce with pantry staples. The star is the cherry tomato, roasted until jammy and sweet, and paired with Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous. This larger, round pasta grain provides a slightly chewy texture that contrasts perfectly with the softness of roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 1 cup Israeli (pearl) couscous
- 1½ cups water or vegetable broth
- Salt to taste
Roasted components:
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes (half roasted, half fresh)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
Add-ins:
- ½ cup roasted chickpeas (seasoned with smoked paprika)
- ½ cup diced Persian cucumber
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta (or vegan feta)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
Dressing:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Roast the tomatoes: Toss half the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until caramelized and jammy.
- Cook couscous: Simmer couscous in salted water or broth for 9–10 minutes until al dente. Drain and spread on a tray to cool.
- Prepare chickpeas: Roast canned chickpeas tossed with olive oil and smoked paprika until crisp (optional but adds crunch).
- Mix dressing: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble: In a large bowl, combine couscous, roasted and fresh tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumber, feta, and herbs. Toss with dressing.
- Serve: Garnish with extra herbs and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
This vibrant salad can be served warm or chilled, making it perfect for both light lunches and summer gatherings. Try adding crumbled feta, grilled chicken, or fresh herbs like basil and mint for extra flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting & Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: Low
Keywords: Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad, Mediterranean Couscous Salad, Couscous Salad with Roasted Tomatoes