Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Ingredients

• cous cous:
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup instant couscous
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ cup diced tomato
• 1/3 cup english cucumber(diced)
• ½ cup diced red pepper
• ½ cup garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)
• ¼ cup minced red onion
• ½ cup pitted olives
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese
• 1 teaspoon parsley chopped
• 1 teaspoon mint (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon basil (chopped)
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• lemon dressing :
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. bring water, salt, and olive oil to a boil in a medium saucepan. add couscous and stir quickly. turn off the heat and cover.
2. let couscous stand until tender, 5 minutes and then fluff with a fork and let cool
3. combine couscous, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, garbanzo beans, red onion, olives, cheese, parsley, mint, basil, and oregano in a medium bowl.
4. for lemon dressing: whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. slowly drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until a thickened dressing forms.
5. pour dressing over the couscous salad, and stir to combine.