Roasted Vegetable Couscous Salad

I had friends come over for dinner and I wanted to make a few dishes ahead of time since I was hosting them right after work, leaving me with 2 hours before they arrived. I have always loved pearled couscous and knew I wanted to add roasted vegetables to it. I tend to love all types of grains mixed with roasted vegetables. This recipe can be made a day ahead of time, just let it come to room temperate before serving. You can skip the fresh thyme and rosemary if you don't have them on hand and this will still be a great dish.



1 medium eggplant, cut in 1/2" to 1" cubes
4 roma tomatoes, cut in 1/2" to 1" piece
2 red, yellow or orange peppers, cut in 1/2" to 1" pieces
1 red onion, cut in 1/2"
1/2 head of garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, separated
salt and pepper
2 cups pearled couscous
1 vegetable or chicken bouillon cube
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons capers, chopped
1 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Preheat your oven to 400F/204C. In a bowl, toss the eggplant, tomatoes, peppers and onion with 1.5 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper, thyme and rosemary. Cut the top 1/2" off of the garlic. Drizzle the exposed garlic cloves with 1/2 tablespoons of oil. Distribute the vegetables evenly between to baking sheets and place the garlic on one of the sheets. Roast for about 40 minutes, until the vegetables have softened, turning the vegetables half way through roasting.

While the vegetables are roasting, cook the couscous according to the package's direction, adding the bouillon cube to the water. Allow to cool slightly once cooked.

Prepare the dressing once the vegetables are roasted. In your serving bowl, mix the lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, capers and honey. Once roasted, peel the garlic clovers and finely chop or mash. Add the garlic to the dressing and mix well. Stir in the vegetables to the dressing. Mix in the couscous and basil and toss until all the components are evenly distributed. Enjoy or cover and store overnight. Pin It Now!