This is what I get for procrastinating. It’s 8 am, Monday morning, and I’m just now composing the text for this post.
It’s all Super Bowl’s fault. (You see what I did there…) But I’ve come to rely on the fact that the game is typically a blow out. My plan was to write this up last night after the half-time show. But no, the Patriots and the Seahawks had a different plan for my evening. They required that I hang in until the final click of the clock.
What a game!!!! We loved it from start to finish. However, for most of it we didn’t know whether to grab a pom-pom and megaphone or a box of tissue…the game so exciting, but the commercials so moving. Did you notice that? Or was it just us? Wimpy, sentimental, us? The puppy with the horses? The ‘Dad’ commercials? Oh man…
It was a great game…
So, yes, I made Caprese Couscous Salad on Saturday. Sometimes I get such a craving for the fresh flavors of Caprese…juicy sweet tomatoes, bright herbaceous basil and delicate mild mozzarella. These, coupled with the tang of balsamic vinegar and the smooth fruity taste of olive oil mixed with the sweet and nutty miniature pearls of couscous make for a really nice dish.
I was so excited, I threw this together before heading out for a much needed run. It’s been a long time – but the sun was out, the sky was clear and my sneakers were begging for attention…
Upon my return I had this lovely chilled bowl of deliciousness waiting for me.
Perfect lunch, perfect salad, perfect side-dish.
Once the couscous is steamed, it’s just a matter of mixing in your traditional ingredients for a Caprese salad.
It’s that simple…but it’s also as hearty, fresh and fulfilling as anything you’ll eat all day!
Buon Appetito!
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Caprese Couscous Salad
- Category: Side-Dish
Ingredients
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups Israeli Couscous
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half, length-wise
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup fresh basil, cut chiffonade (little ribbons)
- 8 oz. mozzarella, cut into small cubes
- 3 – 4 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 – 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring water, couscous and 2 Tbsp. olive oil to a boil.
- Lower heat and simmer for 8 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let steam for about 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, cut the tomatoes, slice the basil and cube the mozzarella.
- When couscous is ready, fluff with a fork and let cool.
- Mix in tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, olive oil and vinegar.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve.
Ciao!
I love this salad. So fresh and bright! Also, I’ve only had couscous once and loved it, and am now wondering why I haven’t bought it to make! This looks so good!
See that – here’s your reminder! Thanks, Stacey!
This salad looks fantastic!! I love caprese anything. I love that you paired it with cous cous!!! Oh, and can you believe that I didn’t even watch the Super Bowl!! I know, crazy, right!!
Thanks, Renee! You missed a good one… next year!
It was such a great game! I remember being just so bored last year but definitely not this time.
Love this salad – pearl couscous is one of my favorites!
It was a very entertaining show from start to finish!! Thanks, Ashley!
I love the Caprese combination of flavors – I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Me, too! And snacks…can’t forget about snacks!! 🙂 🙂 Ha! Thanks, Kari!
I am gutted that I missed the Super Bowl – it’s starting to become a really big thing over here in the UK.
This looks like the perfect summer salad. I could eat all of this!
Awww – next year!! Thanks, Dannii!
It’s been a while since I had couscous! thanks for the reminder, need to make it soon! The salad looks so flavorful and pretty Annie 🙂
Glad I could remind you! 🙂 Thanks, dear!
Mmmmm. I know what I am having for lunch today. Of course, I will be subbing the couscous with quinoa. . .because you know I have an quinoa addiction :-).
Oh yes!! That does not surprise me! And that will make for a very lovely lunch, my friend!! 🙂
This salad looks gorgeous, Annie! I love that you used couscous in here, such a nice change! And I love the caprese flavor too, sounds delish!
Thank you so much, Gayle! 🙂
It looks like summer in a bowl – could use some of that right now!
O yes, summer in a bowl…I could use that right about now, too! Thanks, April!
I always love a good couscous salad! I would love some of these leftovers!
I love couscous salad, too! Thanks, Lisa!!
Israeli couscous is actually my all time fave grain! The texture is incomparable. I love caprese flavors, so this is basically all my favorites in one 🙂
So happy this is a dish you’ll enjoy! Thanks, Medha!
Just absolutely love isreali couscous and combining it with caprese ingredients sounds like a fantastic idea. This would be so great for dinner and then bring the leftovers for lunch the next day. Really looking forward to trying this, Annie. Great photos, too!
Don’t you just love fast and easy dishes that can last you a few days? Thank you so much, Geraldine!
GIANT COUSCOUS! Hurrah! Have I ever told you that I think you ROCK??!! I think I have, many times before 🙂 I love giant couscous! So much FUN to eat, something different! Never thought to make a Caprese salad with it, love how creative you are!!
Yep, GIANT COUSCOUS!! Hahhah! It’s quite yummy! Nagi – you ROCK!! Thanks, dear!!
Annie, I wish I had this bowl in front of me right now. All of my favorite flavors and textures…yum! I made a similar pasta salad yesterday, but alas, the kids polished off the leftovers before I could get to them today. My favorite Super Bowl commercial was the “like a girl” one, but we died laughing when we found out what the product was. Ahem.
Thanks, Andrea. That was a good one! Hah…yes…definitely caught us by surprise too! 🙂
Love this couscous salad, Annie! Caprese anything is always a winner in my book 🙂 This looks so hearty, pretty and refreshing!
So true – Caprese anything! Thanks, Kelly!
You are indeed correct; the commercials were geared toward yanking our emotional chain versus our funny bone. This looks scrumptious. Mmmmmmm.
Oh yessss, they did their job well! Thank you, Carmen!
You’re making me think I can go to Italy without leaving my couch Annie! Awesome salad packed with the colors if Italy, lovely Caprese Salad! What a perfect and healthy lunch. Now for the Super Bowl. Well, my dog got sick all over the house (he got into a chicken wing) and I spent the evening cleaning up. Not pleasant. And I need some pleasant right now so thanks for sharing this. Loving that mozzarella on top. Why can’t a plant just grow some fresh mozz for me?
You have pretty much summed up most of my days…trying to feel like I’m in Italy without leaving my couch! Those are very sweet words, my dear! Oh my! I’m sorry to hear about your Super Bowl experience…I guess we were each crying for different reasons! I trust your dog is okay, today! I’m happy I could bring you some pleasantness! Now go figure out how to grow a mozzeralla tree and get back to me…I’ll buy an orchard!!
I love Israeli-style couscous. It’s the best! And with the fresh basil and tomatoes, heaven! This would be a perfect post-run recovery food!
Exactly – it was a perfect post-run recovery food! Thanks, Mir!
I’ve made cappers with quinoa, but never with couscous! Sounds and looks delicious! Pinned to try it!
Thank you, Mira! Yeah – its texture is different…the couscous is a little meatier, I would say. Enjoy!
Annie, I agree!!! Last night’s game (even though the Hawks didn’t win) was awesome!!! and I swear every commercial was like pulling on my heart strings . . so good!! and I love this caprese couscous salad! love the couscous!! Beautiful and delicious!!!
Awesome – we weren’t alone! Thanks, Alice!