Couscous Salad with Mixed Beans, Feta & Olives

Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 250g couscous
  • 350ml boiling water
  • 400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 400 can Borlotti beans, rinsed and drained
  • 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 100g black olives, stoned rinsed and drained
  • 200g Feta cheese, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp fresh mint, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
  • 3 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • freshly ground black pepper

Method

Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir then leave to stand for 10 mins to allow the grains to swell and absorb the water.

Fork through to loosen up the couscous.

Gently stir in all the other ingredients and mix well to combine.

Season to taste with black pepper and transfer to a large serving dish for people to help themselves or alternatively divide into small dishes.

The dish can be chilled slightly before serving and will keep for 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Tips

Couscous can be used as a base for many different flavours, particularly Mediterranean vegetables.

Try experimenting and create your own recipe!

For non-vegetarian diners, left over cooked meat or fish could also be used as well as small amounts of veg you have in the fridge

This is a recipe by Elspeth Smith from Healthy Heart - Best Kept Secrets of the WI pub 2005.