| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 491 | 30g | 12g | 44g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 3g | 15g | 1.04g |
If there’s one dish that takes me away from my coastal Maine roots yet indulges my love for vibrant, fresh ingredients, it has to be the Feta and Pomegranate Couscous. This delightful repast reels you in with its bright, refreshing flavors, and it’s not just because of the luscious sweetness of pomegranates partnered with the tangy crumble of feta cheese that I adore this dish so much. There’s more to it than meets the palate.
Intricate Simplicity is a Delight
The magic’s in the seemingly modest ingredients that come together in an intricate tapestry of tastes and textures. Despite its simplicity, it maintains a depth of flavor that is hard to resist. This recipe is somewhat similar to the well-known Cypriot Grain Salad, but unique with its fresh mint and parsley, lemon juice and zest.
A Wholesome Balancing Act
But beyond the measure of taste, there’s also something incredibly satisfying about knowing that the food you’re enjoying is also nourishing your body. The grains of Israeli couscous offer a healthy dose of essential nutrients, such as dietary fiber and protein. As a mother of two, it brings me comfort knowing I’m feeding my daughters Erin and Samantha something both delicious and nutritious.
Pairing it with the antioxidant-rich pomegranate seeds and the naturally low-calorie feta cheese just ups the health factor. Drizzled with heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and seamed with fresh herbs, this recipe not just ensures a salubrious meal but also keeps the taste vibrant.
If you’re serving this as part of a bigger spread, it pairs beautifully with Chicken Tawook or even a freshly thrown together Greek salad. Whether at a picnic or a dinner party, this Feta and Pomegranate Couscous is sure to bring a refreshing twist to your menu.
So, be it its intricate simplicity or its wholesome benefits, there are more reasons than one to be in love with this Feta and Pomegranate Couscous recipe. And I promise, once you taste it, you might just find more reasons to love it too.
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 cups of Israeli couscous
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 3 cups of water
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup of pomegranate seeds
- 1.5 cups of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh parsley
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoons of black pepper
Method
Step One
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the Israeli couscous and stir until each pearl glistens with oil and they begin to turn a light golden brown. This usually takes about 5 minutes.
Step Two
Add 3 cups of water and season with salt to taste. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the couscous is tender and the water is absorbed.
Step Three
Drain the couscous and transfer it to a large bowl. Let it cool completely.
Step Four
After the couscous has cooled, add the pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta, finely chopped fresh mint, and parsley to the bowl. Stir to combine all the ingredients well.
Step Five
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, a half cup of extra-virgin olive oil, and half a teaspoon of black pepper. This will be your dressing.
Step Six
Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss everything together until the couscous is well coated with the dressing.
Step Seven
Serve the couscous immediately, or you can refrigerate it for a few hours to let the flavors meld together more. Enjoy your Feta and Pomegranate Couscous!
