Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Grilled Halloumi

Recipe Introduction: Your New Couscous Obsession

Fancy something that's both dead easy and bursting with flavour? Ever wondered how to make a simple salad, the easy Mediterranean way? This Mediterranean couscous salad is it! Honestly, it’s become a weekly staple in my house.

I'm addicted to its fresh taste and how quickly it comes together.

Sunshine in a Bowl: A Quick Hook

This cous cous salad is like a holiday in a bowl. Think sun-drenched beaches and lazy afternoons. The lemon herb dressing and salty halloumi are a match made in heaven.

A Taste of the Med: Brief Overview

This recipe draws inspiration from the vibrant flavors of North Africa and the Greek islands. It's where the Mediterranean couscous and halloumi salad recipe come together.

It's super easy and only takes about 35 minutes to make. This vegetarian couscous recipe makes four generous servings. Perfect for lunch or as a side.

Why You'll Love This Couscous

It's packed with fresh veggies and has a healthy dose of protein from the grilled halloumi couscous . Also, this cous cous dinner is perfect for picnics or BBQs.

What makes this recipe special? It's the balance of flavors and the satisfying texture of the cous cous salad . I love how customizable it is.

Sometimes I even use up leftover squash recipes for a slight twist.

Ready to dive into the ingredients for this easy cous cous salad recipes easy to follow? Let's get started! And don't worry if you can't find halloumi, feta works great too!.

Or maybe you are more into shrimp cous cous recipes ? Well you can just add shimp instead of halloumi!

Let's Talk Ingredients & Gear!

Alright, so you want to make my Mediterranean cous cous salad ? Awesome! Let's break down what you need. Trust me, it's all super easy.

Main Ingredients: Let's Get Real

• Couscous : 1 ½ cups (285g) . Go for the pre-cooked stuff. It's foolproof. I use the regular stuff, not that pearl couscous.
• Veggie Broth : 1 ½ cups (355ml) . Or boiling water will do in a pinch. Honestly, I've used chicken stock before when I was out of veggie broth. Don't tell anyone!
• Olive Oil : 1 tablespoon (15ml) for the couscous, plus 1 tablespoon (15ml) for the halloumi, and ¼ cup (60ml) for the dressing. Good quality makes a difference here. That's the base of Mediterranean couscous flavor profile
• Salt & Pepper : ½ teaspoon (3g) salt and ¼ teaspoon (1g) pepper for the couscous, plus ¼ teaspoon (1g) each for the dressing. Sea salt gives a nice crunch.
• Veggies Galore : 1 red bell pepper , 1 yellow bell pepper , ½ cucumber , 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, ½ red onion , ½ cup (75g) Kalamata olives. Freshness is key! You can adjust these based on what's in season. This is the best way to make Cous Cous Salad Recipes Easy
• Fresh Herbs : ½ cup (25g) parsley, ¼ cup (15g) mint, 2 tablespoons (10g) oregano, 2 tablespoons (10g) basil. Seriously, don't skip these! They make the dish sing!
• Halloumi Cheese : 8 ounces (225g) . Get the firm stuff that grills well. Avoid the pre-sliced stuff, it tends to dry out.
• Lemon Juice : 3 tablespoons (45ml) , fresh is always best. Bottled works, but fresh has a zing.
• Garlic : 2 cloves , minced. Don't be shy!
• Dijon Mustard : 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Adds a little tang.
• Honey or Maple Syrup : 1 teaspoon (5ml) . Just a touch to balance the lemon.

Seasoning Secrets: It's All About the Flavour

For this Shrimp Cous Cous Recipes cousin. I like to give it a kick:

• Lemon & Herbs : The oregano and basil are essential. It's the taste of sunshine!
• Garlic : Raw garlic in the dressing? Yes, please! It's punchy.
• Salt & Pepper : Don't be afraid to season generously. It brings everything to life.
• Spice it Up : Red pepper flakes if you're feeling adventurous.

For a Vegetarian couscous recipe with a hint of autumn flavors instead try it with Squash Recipes :

• Cinnamon or Smoked Paprika : for an earthy flavor

Essential Equipment: Keep It Simple

• Saucepan : Medium sized, with a lid, for the couscous.
• Big Bowl : For tossing everything together. My grandma's old one works perfectly!
• Grill Pan or Grill : For the halloumi. A regular frying pan will work in a pinch.
• Small Bowl & Whisk : For the dressing. A fork works if you don't have a whisk.
• Fork : To fluff the couscous. Absolutely essential!

No fancy gadgets needed here, promise. Just the basics to make this Couscous salad .

This Grilled halloumi couscous is honestly one of my go-to Cous Cous Dinner recipes. You know, quick, healthy, and tastes like you put way more effort in than you actually did! Enjoy!

Let's Get Cooking: Mediterranean Magic with Cous Cous

Honestly, folks, this cous cous salad recipe is a game changer. Think sunshine, fresh herbs, and that satisfying oomph of grilled halloumi.

It’s quick, it's easy, and it's packed with flavor. And the best part? It is easy enough to be listed in Cous Cous Salad Recipes Easy .

This dish is perfect as Cous Cous Dinner .

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission

First, let's get organized. Essential mise en place means chopping those bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and herbs.

This takes about 20 minutes . Having everything ready to go saves so much time and honestly, keeps you from going bonkers halfway through.

For the halloumi, slice it into roughly ½-inch thick pieces. Don't slice it too thin or it’ll fall apart on the grill.

Time saving tip: pre-chop your herbs the day before! Or use a food processor if you’re feeling fancy.

step-by-step: Cous Cous Perfection

1. Boil & Bloom: Bring 1 ½ cups of vegetable broth (or water) to a boil with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Cous Cous Time: Stir in 1 ½ cups of cous cous, cover, and take it off the heat.
3. Patience, Young Padawan: Let it sit for 5 minutes .
4. Fluff Like a Pro: Fluff with a fork to avoid a sticky, clumpy mess.
5. Dressing Time: Whisk together the lemon herb dressing recipe .
6. Grill to Thrill: Brush halloumi with olive oil. Grill for 2- 3 minutes per side until golden.
7. Toss & Serve: Combine everything in a bowl, top with halloumi, and serve this Mediterranean couscous .

Pro Tips: Elevate Your Cous Cous Game

Want to take your cus cus salad to the next level? Here's the inside scoop. Don't overcrowd the grill when you're cooking your halloumi, this will stop it from browning properly! Halloumi should be golden brown and slightly softened, not rubbery.

make-ahead option: the salad can be prepped a day in advance and chilled. But, don't add the halloumi until right before serving or the halloumi slices may loose their texture and flavour .

Consider alternative ingredient if you don't have halloumi such as feta cheese. And If you wanna make a Vegetarian couscous recipe then just make sure to pick the right ingredients! This Shrimp Cous Cous Recipes are another great variation.

If you want even more vitamins I would highly recommend adding some Squash Recipes into the mix. If you want something gluten-free, use quinoa or millet instead of couscous.

Taste your Couscous salad , and you should feel proud for doing this Halloumi salad recipe . This is truly a Grilled halloumi couscous dish.

So there you have it a vibrant Mediterranean Couscous Salad that's sure to impress! Hope this helps you with your Recipe Article!

Recipe Notes

Right, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. This Mediterranean couscous salad is super versatile. I've made this loads of times, and honestly? It's foolproof.

Just a few tweaks here and there, and you've got a brand new dish. You know? This vegetarian couscous recipe is also adaptable to different tastes.

Serving Suggestions: Level Up Your Plate

Think sunshine on a plate! For a real showstopper, serve this cous cous salad on a bed of rocket. Scatter a few extra herbs on top for that “chef’s kiss” presentation.

It makes a fab side with grilled halloumi couscous and lemon wedges. Or why not try it with a crisp glass of white wine or even a refreshing homemade lemonade? Delish!

Storage Tips: Keep It Fresh

You can totally prep this ahead. Store the couscous salad separately from the halloumi. Pop the salad in the fridge for up to three days .

The grilled halloumi is best eaten fresh but will keep for a day in the fridge. Reheat it gently in a pan to keep it from going rubbery.

Variations: Mix It Up

Feeling adventurous? Swap out the red and yellow peppers for some roasted squash . It's absolutely divine in autumn! For a gluten-free option, ditch the couscous and use quinoa instead. Job done!

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

This salad isn't just tasty; it’s packed with goodness. You get a decent hit of protein from the halloumi. It's also full of vitamins and fiber from all those lovely veggies.

Calories per serving, we are talking about 450, roughly. It's a win-win! I found a stat online that said that the Mediterranean diet is linked to improved heart health.

Amazing, right?

So there you have it! A flavour packed cous cous dinner that's easy, delicious, and good for you. I hope you try this shrimp cous cous recipes and find it useful! Don’t be afraid to play around with it and make it your own.

Now, get cooking!