Pearl couscous salad | Smaakt

This healthy pearl couscous salad is great when family and friends are spontaneously staying for dinner at a party, but it's also a hit as a quick weekday lunch. You can easily keep it in the fridge for a few days and then take it with you in a lunch box. Easy, quick and full of healthy nutrients. That's how we want to see it of course! 

Persons

4 people 

Preparation time 

15-20 minutes. 

Ingredients 

• 200 grams of Smaakt pearl couscous
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 red bell bell pepper, chopped
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
• 150 grams chickpeas (jar or can, drained)
• 100 grams cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• juice of ¼ lemon
• black pepper 

Kitchen appliances

• Cooking pan
• Frying pan

Preparation method

1. Put the pearl couscous in a saucepan with 600 ml of water. Bring to the boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. While the couscous is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the zucchini, bell bell pepper, salt and Italian seasoning and cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes over medium-high heat. The vegetables should be warm inside but still crisp.
3. Drain the pearl couscous and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the sautéed vegetables, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and remaining olive oil and mix well.
4. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired. Serve the salad immediately or store in the refrigerator for the next day.