The Natalie Method Recipe ⤏ Israeli Couscous Salad

A fresh and light salad of Israeli couscous, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, spinach, and herbs drizzled with a tangy citrus dressing. Serve by itself or alongside your favorite protein.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium shallot, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Israeli couscous, uncooked
• 1 ¼ cups chicken stock
• 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup quartered black olives
• ¼ cup sliced scallions
• ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• ¼ cup julienned fresh mint leaves
• ¼ cup julienned fresh basil leaves
• lemon, zested and juiced
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Cooking Directions

1. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; cook until soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add dry couscous and saute until slightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in chicken stock and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until couscous is tender and all liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 45 minutes.
2. While the couscous is cooling, mix lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and Dijon mustard together for the dressing in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
3. Transfer cooled couscous to a serving bowl. Add cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, olives, scallions , parsley, mint, and basil. Pour dressing over top and mix to incorporate.

Nutrition Facts

• calories342
• carbohydrateContent45.7 g
• cholesterolContent0.2 mg
• fatContent16 g
• fiberContent6.2 g
• proteinContent8 g
• saturatedFatContent2.3 g
• sodiumContent635.8 mg
• sugarContent3.2 g