photography: James Baigrie
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COUSCOUS SALAD WITH PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMSCouscous is a great base for quick meals: It’s delicious warm or at room temperature and blends beautifully with an array of ingredients. The grilled portobello mushrooms transform this salad from a side dish into a filling entrée. You can substitute grilled fish or meat. MAKES: 6 servings
PREP: 25 minutes
COOK: 10 minutes
1 (10-ounce) box plain couscous
6 large portobello mushroom caps
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 large garlic cloves, minced and divided
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 pint grape tomatoes
2/3 cup pitted and drained kalamata olives
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecan halves, toasted
1 cup finely crumbled cheese (such as feta, aged goat cheese, or ricotta)
1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
6cups mixed greens (such as watercress, arugula, and frisée)
Garnishes: mint sprigs, dried tomatoes
1. Prepare couscous according to package directions. 2. Wipe mushroom caps clean with dampened paper towels. (Remove gills from underside with a spoon,
if desired.) Drizzle with 1?4 cup oil, coating both sides, and season with 1 garlic clove, salt, and pepper. Transfer to heated grill pan or outdoor grill, and grill over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until cooked. Transfer to a plate, reserving juices.3. Combine remaining minced garlic and lemon juice in a medium bowl; whisk in remaining 1?2 cup oil. Season with salt and pepper. Fluff couscous with
a fork, and transfer to a large bowl. Add tomatoes
and next 4 ingredients. Add all but 2 tablespoons dressing to couscous, and toss to combine. 4. Toss mixed greens with remaining 2 tablespoons dressing in a separate large bowl; arrange greens around rim of 6 serving plates. Mound couscous mixture in center. Slice mushrooms diagonally, and arrange on top. Pour mushroom juices over salad, and garnish, if desired.
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