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–+ servings
Roasted Vegetable and Chickpea Israeli Couscous Salad – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Roasted Vegetable and Chickpea Israeli Couscous Salad

This Roasted Vegetable and Chickpea Israeli Couscous Salad is a vibrant medley of textures and flavors. Tender roasted eggplant and red pepper, hearty chickpeas, and pearly beads of Israeli couscous are tossed in a zesty, spice-infused lemon dressing. It's the perfect make-ahead
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 9 serving
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1½ cups / 360 ml (12.2 fl oz) dried chickpeas
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 clove garlic, lightly smashed
  • 1 eggplant, ends trimmed and diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 red pepper, seeded and diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 Tbsp (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0 fl oz) each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1½ cups / 360 ml (12.2 fl oz) Israeli couscous
  • ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) pimento stuffed green olives, sliced
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4.1 fl oz) chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh mint
  • 1 Tbsp (15 ml) capers, drained
  • For the Zesty Lemon Dressing
  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml / 0.1 fl oz) ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0 fl oz) turmeric
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0 fl oz) ground allspice
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0 fl oz) dried oregano, crumbled
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0 fl oz) dried mint, crumbled
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0 fl oz) each sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • This salad is fantastic for meal prep! It keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors meld and get even better overnight.
  • Can 't find Israeli (pearl) couscous? Regular whole wheat couscous works well. Just be sure to follow the package for cooking times as they will differ.
  • Feel free to customize the roasted vegetables. Zucchini, yellow squash, or cherry tomatoes would all be delicious additions.

Method
 

  1. Place chickpeas in a large container, cover with plenty of cold water, and let soak overnight.
  2. Drain and rinse.
  3. Transfer the chickpeas to a large pot with the bay leaf and garlic clove.
  4. Cover with fresh, cold water, bring to a simmer, and cook partially covered for about 1 hour, or until tender.
  5. Drain well.
  6. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425°F / 215°C. On a large sheet pan, toss the diced eggplant and red pepper with 1 Tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  7. Spread in a single layer and roast for about 20 minutes, stirring once, until tender and lightly browned.
  8. While the other components cook, prepare the couscous.
  9. Combine the Israeli couscous with 4 cups / 950 ml of lightly salted water in a pot.
  10. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for about 8 minutes, or until tender.
  11. Drain thoroughly, but do not rinse.
  12. Prepare the dressing by whisking together all dressing in a small bowl until well combined.
  13. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked chickpeas, roasted vegetables, and drained couscous.
  14. Add the sliced olives, parsley, fresh mint, and capers.
  15. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to combine everything. This salad can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
  16. In a time crunch? Substitute the dried chickpeas with two 15-ounce cans of chickpeas, rinsed and drained. Simply skip the soaking and boiling step.

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 6gFat: 55g

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