Adrian's Vegetarian Cous-Cous

Adrian’s Favorite Vegetarian Cous-Cous is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that beautifully blends vibrant flavors and nutritious ingredients. Fluffy couscous is mixed with toasted almonds, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet mandarin pieces, and creamy feta cheese, all enhanced by fresh lemon juice and aromatic spearmint and parsley. Tossed with extra virgin olive oil and chilled, this refreshing salad offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal that evokes the essence of a Mediterranean escape.

INGREDIENTS (4 serving): 

• 2 cups of couscous
• 1 oz of toasted almonds
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped spearmint
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 1 small mandarin
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley
• ½ small onion, diced.
• 4 oz of feta cheese crumbled
• ½ teaspoon OmniBlue Original 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Spread whole raw almonds on a baking sheet and toast them for 8-10 minutes, or until they turn a lovely light brown. Once done, set them aside to cool. 

2. Meanwhile, bring 10.5 oz of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add the couscous, give it a quick stir, then cover. Let it sit undisturbed until all the water is fully absorbed, then remove from heat and set aside.
3. While the couscous is resting, dice the onions, halve the cherry tomatoes, and peel and chop the mandarin into bite-sized pieces. 

4. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and drizzle with a splash of extra virgin olive oil and season with a pinch of salt to taste. 

5. Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour. 

6. Serve it cold and enjoy the vibrant, refreshing medley of textures and tastes!

PROTIPS:

1. Instead of using water to boil the couscous you can add chicken vegetable or chicken stock to add more complex flavors.
2. After the couscous has been removed from heat you can lightly toast in the oven to give more depth to the flavor.