Mediterranean Couscous Salad

I can't believe that it's April.  Wasn't it just Christmas?  The days have been blurring together while trying to keep up with the projects I have going on right now.  The 25 lb. box of chocolate sitting in my living room has basically taken over my life.  I have been running a chocolate factory in my kitchen, but without the help of those little Keebler elves, who would really come in handy right now.  My moonlighting career as a chocolatier doesn't allow for many other activities, and I only have a month left before my edible sculpture debut. Needless to say, anything I have to do outside of making golden chocolate bars or making paintings has to be done quickly, including weeknight dinners.  My go to meal this week has been a simple couscous salad studded with tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh parsley and mint, and comes together with a quick dressing of lemon juice, za'atar and olive oil.  This is basically a chop and dump recipe, and in less than a half hour you have a healthy and hearty salad that can be a stand alone meal or make a great side dish to grilled meat or fish.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Ingredients:

1 box couscous made according to box instructions

1 1/2 cups English cucumber, diced

1 1/2 cups tomato, diced

1 cup red onion, diced

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

1 1/4 cups mint, chopped

4 tablespoons za'atar 

2 1/2 lemons juiced

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 

Make 1 box of couscous according to package directions.  Let cool completely. Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.  Makes approximately 6-8 servings.