Mediterranean Couscous Salad Caprese (Printable Version)

Tender pearled couscous tossed with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze for a vibrant Mediterranean dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Couscous Base

01 - 1 cup pearled (Israeli) couscous
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Salad Components

05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
07 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or sliced
08 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
09 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Balsamic Dressing

10 - 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
11 - 1 teaspoon honey (optional, if glaze is very tangy)

# Directions:

01 - Bring water, salt, and 1 tablespoon olive oil to a boil in a saucepan. Add pearled couscous, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes until couscous is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooled couscous, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and toss gently. Season with black pepper to taste.
03 - Transfer salad to a serving platter or bowl and drizzle with balsamic glaze. If desired, add a touch of honey to the glaze for extra sweetness. Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes for a refreshing cold salad.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The way pearl couscous soaks up the balsamic glaze while staying perfectly chewy is nothing short of magic
  • You can throw it together in 25 minutes flat but it looks like you spent hours planning it
  • Its the kind of dish that makes people ask for seconds before they have even finished their first serving
02 -
  • If you skip cooling the couscous completely, the mozzarella will start to melt and you will lose that beautiful contrast between warm grains and cool cheese
  • The salad needs at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to let the flavors marry, even though it is tempting to serve it immediately
  • Homemade balsamic glaze is just balsamic vinegar simmered with a tablespoon of honey until it reduces by half and coats a spoon
03 -
  • Buy pearl couscous in bulk from Mediterranean markets instead of the tiny boxes at regular grocery stores
  • If you cannot find balsamic glaze, regular balsamic vinegar works but use a lighter hand since it will be more acidic
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