Colourful Mediterranean couscous – with or without a Thermomix

As I type this, it’s autumn here in the UK so we’re a long way from BBQ season again but there’s nothing wrong with a delicious, healthy salad at any time of the year.

One tip for this one: it’s even better the following day when the flavours have had plenty of time to develop!

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Colourful Mediterranean couscous – with or without a Thermomix

Serves 6

Active time: 10 minutes – Total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 150g olive oil
• Juice of 3 lemons
• 3 garlic cloves
• About 10 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 2 tsp dried oregano.
• 1 tbsp honey
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 300g pumpkin or butternut squash
• 150g green beans
• 150g couscous
• 150g baby spinach
• 2 spring onions
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 cucumber
• 250g cherry tomatoes
• 20 fresh basil leaves or fresh coriander leaves
• 170g feta cheese
• 50g pine nuts
• About 15 pitted black olives

Let’s go…

1. Make the salad dressing: add 150g olive oil, juice of 3 lemons, 3 garlic cloves, 10 fresh basil leaves roughly chopped, 2 spring onions roughly chopped, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tsp dried oregano and salt & pepper to taste to the mixing bowl. Mix for 10 seconds / speed 5. Set the dressing aside.
2. No need to rinse your bowl.
3. Add 1000g water to the mixing bowl and slot the Varoma into place. Peel & cube 300g pumpkin and add to the Varoma. Top with 150g fresh green beans.
4. Rinse 150g couscous well in plenty of water (or it will not cook properly). Line top Varoma tray with baking paper. Add a few drops of water, add the couscous, evenly spread. Cook for 20 minutes / Varoma / Speed 1.
5. When done, transfer couscous into a salad bowl, fluff with a fork. Add pumpkin, green beans, 150g baby spinach, 20 leaves of fresh basil, roughly chopped, 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 50g pine nuts, 170g feta cheese, 15 pitted black olives, 1 cucumber, sliced, 250g cherry tomatoes, halved and the dressing. Toss together and enjoy!

Delicious. Bon appetit x