Cous Cous with tomato and basil: a simple but delicious dish

The saladcouscous withtomatoand basilit is a simple but extremely tasty dish, perfect for hot and sunny days. Thisrecipecombines the fresh and aromatic flavors of tomatoes, basil andcous cous, creating an explosion of flavors in your mouth. It is a light and nutritious option, ideal as a main course or ascontourto accompany more substantial dishes. Alternatively you can try the recipecous cous con spinaci e feta. Let's find out together how to preparecouscous with tomato and basiland how to make the most of its ingredients.

The key ingredients

The Cous Cous

Couscous is a fundamental ingredient of this recipe. It's onepastaof durum wheat semolina, originally from North Africa, which comes in the form of small grains. Its neutral flavor makes it a perfect vehicle for absorbing the flavors of other ingredients, making it a key element in creating a balanced and tasty salad.

The tomatoes

Tomatoes are the other protagonist of this salad. The choice to use fresh, seasonal tomatoes is essential to obtain an optimal result. The tomatoes bring freshness, acidity and crunchiness, perfectly balancing the softness of the couscous.

Basil

Basil is the aromatic herb that gives the finishing touch to this salad. Its green and fragrant leaves add an intense and unmistakable aroma, enhancing all the other ingredients.

Cous Cous with tomato and basil

Couscous salad with tomato and basil is a simple but extremely tasty dish, perfect for hot and sunny days. Thanks to its fresh and nutritious ingredients, it is a light and healthy option that can be served as a main course, side dish or snack. By following our advice, you can make a delicious and satisfying couscous salad, ready to delight your guests or family.

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Preparation:15 minutes minutes

Cooking:5 minutes minutes

Total time:20 minutes minutes

Range:Single dish

Kitchen:International cuisine

Keywords:salads

Portions:6 people

Calories:201kcal

Chef:Allrecipe

Ingredients

• 1 table spoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 segments garlic chopped
• 420 gr chicken broth fat-free and low-sodium
• 1 ½ cups couscous
• 2 cups tomato chopped
• ⅓ cup basil fresh cut into thin slices
• 2 spoons balsamic vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
• 1 spoon extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup feta cheese crumbled

instructions

Cook Cous Cous

• Il primo passo è cuocere il cous cous. Inizia riscaldando dell'olio extravergine d'oliva in una ciotola per microonde.
• Add chopped garlic and heat everything for 45 seconds, until the garlic begins to release its aroma.
• Next, pour in some low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Add the couscous, cover and leave to rest for 5 minutes, until all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Finally, crumble the couscous with a fork to obtain a soft and uniform consistency.

Prepare the other ingredients

• While the couscous is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Wash and dice the fresh tomatoes.
• Wash and cut the fresh basil into strips. Add the balsamic vinegar, salt and ground black pepper.

Prepare the salad

• Once the couscous is ready, transfer it to a large bowl.
• Add the tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
• Gently mix all the ingredients to mix them well.
• Finally, top everything with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.

Notes

Variants and customizations

This recipe can easily be adapted to your tastes and needs. You can add other ingredients such as olives, peppers, cucumbers or red onion to further enrich the dish. You can also replace couscous with other whole grains like quinoa or spelt for an even more nutritious version. If you prefer a heartier salad, you can add proteins such as chicken, shrimp or chickpeas.

Nutrition

Serving:1person | Calories:201kcal | Carbohydrates:29g | Proteins:7g | Fat:6g

The nutritional benefits

This couscous salad with tomato and basil is a nutritious and healthy dish. Couscous provides complex carbohydrates, fiber and a good amount of protein. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, while basil provides valuable compounds beneficial to health. Furthermore, extra virgin olive oil andcheeseFeta adds healthy fats and calcium.

Tips for a perfect Cous Cous salad

• Use high quality couscous to achieve the perfect texture.
• Choose ripe, tasty tomatoes to enhance the flavor of the salad.
• Don't overdo it with the balsamic vinegar to avoid the dish being excessively acidic.
• Add the basil only at the end to preserve its scent and color.
• Let the salad rest for a few minutes before serving, so that all the flavors blend harmoniously.

When to serve Cous Cous salad

This couscous salad is perfect for a variety of occasions:

• As a light main course for summer lunch or dinner
• As a fresh and nutritious side dish to accompany more substantial dishes
• As a healthy and tasty snack to take to the beach or on a picnic
• As a vegetarian or vegan option to enrich a buffet or banquet

storage

Couscous salad with tomato and basil keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It is advisable to store it in an airtight container to preserve its freshness. Avoid seasoning it too much in advance to prevent the ingredients from becoming too soft. Before serving, you can refresh it by adding a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few fresh basil leaves.