Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this couscous salad with feta, fresh mint, and ripe tomatoes is tossed with a bright lemon-olive oil dressing and served at room temperature.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until softened, 1 minute.
Add the couscous and stir to coat with the oil. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and the couscous starts to develop a golden color.
Stir in the chicken broth, cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until all the broth is absorbed and the couscous is tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
Add a little extra broth or water if the liquid cooks off before the couscous is tender.
Transfer the couscous to a bowl and drizzle with an additional 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Combine well and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Set the couscous aside to cool to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork once or twice during this time to prevent sticking.
Whisk the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil together with the lemon juice and combine with the cooled couscous.
Add the feta cheese, mint and tomatoes and toss well. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Notes
Tips for Success
TOAST THE COUSCOUS: Before adding any liquid, toast the pearl couscous in olive oil until golden to enhance the nutty flavor.USE BROTH: Chicken (or vegetable) broth infuses much more flavor than water, and the liquid to couscous ratio remains the same.DON'T OVERCOOK: Israeli couscous cooks quite quickly, so check it frequently. You want a tender al dente texture.PREVENT STICKING: Once cooked, couscous is prone to sticking, so it's helpful to fluff gently with a fork to separate the pearls.