Couscous Salad With Grilled Vegetables in Honey Vinaigrette dressing

               

Few years back when my brother stayed in Germany and when i went to visit him, that was the first time I had couscous in a farmer's market.. It had a very soft texture and was subtle in taste.. I loved the taste of it.. And then i started surfing the net on what couscous is and how it is made..

Couscous originated in North Africa, consisting of tiny granules made from steamed semolina.. These tiny white pearls are bland in flavor,  and so they readily soak up the flavor from other ingredients added to it... 

There were many versions available to it with the varying water content to soak couscous and the flavors differing according to the taste and preference.. One thing i could derive was couscous was made with mild flavors and spices keeping it subtle..

From then on I made couscous quite a few time and then settled on this version below.. I like to keep it simple and serve with grilled vegetables on the side..

Ingredients for couscous

1 cup couscous

2cup boiling water + 1tsp salt + 2tsp olive oil

1 tbsp olive oil

3-4tbsp spring oions chopped (white part)

1 medium size tomato deseeded and chopped

3-4 spring greens chopped

Salt

Pepper

For Grilled Vegetables

4-5 french beans blanched

1/2 cup broccoli florets blanched

2-3 babycorn cut length wise

1/2 cup coloured bell peppers cut in chunks

1/2 cup pumpkin cut in chunks

2-3tsp olive oil

5-6 olives chopped

For dressing

1tbsp honey

2tsp balsamic vinegar

Salt

Pepper

Method: To make couscous - Add salt and olive oil in boling water.. Then add couscous and keep it covered for few minutes till it absorbs all the water and swells up.. Heat olive oil in a pan.. Saute spring onions for few minutes.. Meanwhile fluff up the couscous with the help of a fork to separate it.. Add this in the pan and mix well.. Switch off the flame and add in tomatoes, spring greens, salt and pepper.. We donot want to cook the tomatoes and spring greens.. Mix lightly.. Keep aside..

Mix ingredients of dressing and keep aside..

For grilled vegetables - Heat oil in a griller and saute the vegetables one by one except olive.. Remove in a bowl, add olives and pour the dressing over the veggies.. Mix well and keep aside for few minutes..

Serve warm couscous salad with sauted vegetables on the side..

Note - Can even add lemon juice instead of balsamic vinegar in the dressing..

Use vegetables available to you and of your choice..
You can even grill the vegetables and add the couscous in it and mix.. Instead of serving it separately..