Have you noticed that recipe trends change when the seasons change? I find it slightly entertaining that soups and autumnal desserts seem to be a thing of the past now, as if they’ve stopped being delicious. Don’t worry soup lovers, the fad will return come September. Maybe I’ll rebel and make something that no one would expect to see this time of the year, like some yummy Pumpkin Pie. (That’s one of my husband’s favorites, so I know he would not object to that.) I will admit that I’m sort of tired of eating soup and I’m anxious to eat some summer veggies and fruit. I guess for now that means I’m going to go with the flow and make another tasty salad recipe this week.
This bean and couscous salad has a Mediterranean flair to it and it pairs perfectly with a fresh tomato salad.
White Beans And Couscous With Fresh Tomato Salad Recipe
(About 4 servings)
White Beans and Couscous Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/4 cups water
- 1 cup dry couscous
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1(15 ounce) can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh Tomato Salad Ingredients:
- 1 and 1/4 pounds tomatoes (about 4), chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions for White Beans And Couscous:
- In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
- Stir in the couscous, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Move it off the burner, cover the pot, and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the beans and crumbled feta cheese.
Directions for Fresh Tomato Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, and pepper.
Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
On one side you have couscous mixed with white beans and feta cheese and on the other side you have tomatoes mixed with garlic and basil. They are both lightly coated in seasoned oil. I enjoyed mixing all of the ingredients into one impressive salad, but you can certainly enjoy each salad on its own and it will taste just as great.
Yay for a new variety of salad at lunch time! I keep calling this a salad, but you’ll notice that there are no leafy greens in it. What else would I call it, if not a salad? It’s a salad in kind of the same way potato salad is a salad, or perhaps pasta salad, or maybe 3-bean salad, get it?
Now my husband is quick to point out that the quality of your ingredients is important with a recipe that is this simple. For example, you’ll want beautiful red tomatoes not cheap giant colorless ones. If you are feeling crafty you can go with a collection of interesting heirloom tomatoes instead for a splash of intense flavor and stunning colors. Also, the feta cheese is not just a topping here, and not all feta is created equal. Trust me, some downright suck. Feta cheese is generally a low fat cheese. If you get the kind that has no fat at all, that tends to make it taste more like old milk than delicious melt in your mouth feta. With both of these ingredients you actually do get what you pay for. If you are grabbing the lowest price versions available, well, don’t say I didn’t warn you. 😉
If there’s feta cheese in your meal then it automatically becomes a Mediterranean delight. (Says me.) If you’ve never had it before, it’s a bit tangy and salty and it has a crumbly texture. I could put this stuff on almost anything. Of course I may be required to say that since I’m half Greek. 😉
The couscous and beans make this hearty (and vegetarian) meal. Couscous is made from semolina so it’s more like a pasta than a rice, but it’s size makes it like something in between. I love the stuff because you can use it in a variety of ways and it’s super quick to make. It’s also one of my favorite words. Couscous. Couscous. Say it with me. Isn’t it fun? 🙂
Aren’t the vibrant colors wonderful? This would also make a great side dish at a BBQ. I know, it’s still cold out (at least here in CT), but some of us are already planning our BBQ menus.
Source: Better Homes and Gardens
Here are some other great salads.
Endive With Sweet Potato And Bacon
This salad looks perfect for spring! I plant a ton of tomato plants, and am constantly looking for ways to use up all my tomatoes. Pinning!
I wish I could grow a tomato garden but we have too many wild animals around who’d snatch them up. My grandpa used to grow tomatoes and they were the best tasting ones on earth! 🙂
I just picked up goat’s feta for the first time and WOW it is amazing. Have you ever tried it?
Yes, I’ve had goat feta! It’s very similar to feta cheese. I love both. 🙂
The pumpkin thing cracks me up, honestly. It’s like, we know this stuff is canned and we can have it whenever, right everyone?
Also, I’ve totally been guilty of the “foodie” sin of buying fresh tomatoes in winter. I can’t help it. Sometimes I can’t wait for August.
Haha! I’m totally with ya! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
This really is a perfect lunch dish! I love everything in here – especially the feta : ) Tomatoes are just starting to look decent again by us too – perfect timing!
I had to jump at the chance to make this as soon as I saw tomatoes looking good again!
I agree that feta makes almost everything taste better, Tina!! Also, I must be a rebel at heart because I think I’ve made more soups in the last few weeks than I have all winter!
Fantastic healthy-sounding (and looking!) salad!
Haha, rebel…love it!
I’ve still been craving soup because it is COLD here. But salad with all these fresh delicious ingredients also sounds good!!
My mood changes on a daily basis…soup or salad. Maybe it’s because the weather has been crazy here. One day it’s 28 degress and the next it’s 57 degrees!
This looks like my kind of salad…especially now that Spring is here! (At least that’s what the calendar says.) Love, love, love the feta!!
Hehe, I think mother nature missed the memo on the offical calendar date of Spring!
Seriously, isn’t feta cheese awesome!?
your salad looks so fresh healthy!
Thanks! 🙂
I love seasonal eating, because then I never get sick of anything! But I would not object to a slice of pumpkin pie any time of year!! This salad looks delicious, and is totally something that I would make for a quick and easy dinner. Pinning!
Thanks for pinning! I’m totally on the same page as you. 🙂
Sounds like a great light spring dinner! Haha, pumpkin pie in spring?! You rebel!
I’d eat pumpkin pie 365 days a year! 😉
This looks super delicious. I love feta and tomatoes together. I think this is quite hearty as well and could fill up my hungry teenagers.
Totally agree! 🙂
Tina, I need this dish for dinner! My husband wouldn’t touch it because he has a (weird) aversion to tomatoes, so we could be dinner buddies!
Dinner buddies…love that and absolutely! My husband is the same with quinoa, but I love the stuff.
I love this kind of salads because they’re more original than the usual lettuce-only kind. The addition of feta is great – I adore the stuff!
I completely agree! 🙂
Hehe, love pumpkin pie anytime of the year – I just made one last weekend for one of my bff who was visiting last weekend since pumpkin pie is her favorite:) This salad looks delicious Tina – love how bright and colorful it is – perfect for spring 🙂 What a great easy and quick diinner – pinning 🙂
You’re a great friend for making her favorite pie. 🙂 Thank so much for the lovely compliments and for pinning!
I do eat seasonally, but I also have my year round favorites that I refuse to give up. I just bought some dried white beans and am so excited to give them a try!
I’m the same as you! 🙂 I hope you enjoy the salad as much as I do.
We were just in Portland for the past few days and we ate so much it’s a miracle my pants still fit! This looks like a great healthy and light meal to enjoy after a few days of heavy eating! I will be trying this!
Hehe…you are too funny! I hope you like this salad as much as I do. I actually made it again the other night. I love that it’s super quick to whip up.