Description
A colorful and nutritious salad featuring roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños, paired with crispy spiced chickpeas and Israeli couscous. Tossed with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing and garnished with fresh herbs and toasted pine nuts, this dish makes for a hearty side or a light main course.
Ingredients
For the Spice Mixture:
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated or mashed to a paste
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
For the Israeli Couscous:
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup Israeli couscous
For the Roasted Veggies:
- 2 medium yellow or orange bell peppers, or a combination, sliced lengthwise ¼-inch thick
- 2 cups colored cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large red onion, sliced into wedges (leave the root end intact)
- 2 medium jalapeños, sliced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the Crispy Chickpeas:
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Spice mixture (from above)
To Finish the Salad:
- 1 cup fresh herbs
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Heat the oven to 450°F (230°C) and arrange racks on the top and bottom thirds of the oven. Line two sheet pans with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Prepare the Spice Mixture:
- In a small bowl, combine the cayenne, turmeric, coriander, cumin, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
Prepare the Dressing:
- In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. Shake well and set aside.
Cook the Couscous:
- Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add the Israeli couscous, reduce heat, and simmer for 8 minutes. Drain well, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and stir to coat. Set aside.
Roast the Veggies and Chickpeas:
- On one of the prepared sheet pans, toss the drained chickpeas with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with the prepared spice mixture and toss to coat.
- On the second sheet pan, toss the bell peppers, onion, and jalapeños with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread the vegetables into a single layer.
- Place the chickpea pan on the bottom rack and the vegetable pan on the top rack of the oven. Roast for 5 minutes. Remove the veggie pan, add the halved tomatoes, drizzle with a bit more olive oil, and return to the oven. Continue roasting both pans for a total of 12 minutes.
Finish the Salad:
- Arrange the cooked couscous on a large platter. Top with the roasted vegetables and crispy chickpeas. Drizzle with half of the prepared dressing. Garnish with fresh herbs and toasted pine nuts. Serve with the remaining dressing on the side.
Notes
- For a vegan option, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and use a vegan mayo for the dressing.
- For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken or tofu.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting, Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe
- Calories: 327 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg