Caprese Couscous Salad Mediterranean (Printable)

Tender pearled couscous tossed with cherry tomatoes, fresh 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

→ Dressing

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

# How to Make It:

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.
03 - Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and toss gently. Season with black pepper to taste.
04 - Transfer salad to a serving platter or bowl and drizzle with balsamic glaze. If desired, add honey to the glaze for extra sweetness.
05 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 30 minutes for a refreshing cold salad.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day thinking about it
  • The contrast of cold juicy tomatoes against warm fluffy couscous is the kind of texture harmony that makes people ask for seconds
  • Leftovers keep beautifully for next day lunches, which is rare for anything with fresh tomatoes
02 -
  • Warm couscous will instantly soften fresh mozzarella into a weird texture, so really do wait for it to cool before combining
  • Homemade balsamic glaze is incredibly easy, but store bought works perfectly fine if you choose one with minimal ingredients
  • This salad sits for hours without getting soggy, making it ideal for potlucks or meal prep
03 -
  • Buy your cherry tomatoes from a farmers market in summer, the difference in sweetness is night and day
  • If you only have regular balsamic vinegar, simmer it with a teaspoon of honey until reduced by half to make your own glaze
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