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Israeli Couscous Salad with Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• ½ pound medium asparagus spears, cut into one inch pieces
• ½ pound zucchini, cut into one inch pieces
• ½ pound yellow squash, cut into one inch pieces
• ½ pound peeled eggplant, cut into one inch pieces
• 1 large sweet red bell pepper, cut into one inch pieces
• ¼ cup red onion, sliced thin
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons drained capers
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ pound Israeli couscous
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

For the Vinaigrette:

• 1 tablespoon minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, place asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, red pepper, onion, oil, salt, oregano, and garlic powder. Mix to combine and pour out onto a sheet pan in a single layer.
3. Roast vegetables for 10 minutes, flip and roast for 10 more.
4. Place vegetables back into large bowl and add olives, basil, capers and the ground black pepper.
5. In a large dry pan over medium high heat, toast couscous until slightly brown. Toss or stir often during browning so they don’t burn.
6. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil with the two teaspoons of salt and add the toasted couscous. Cook 8-10 minutes just until they are no longer hard but not too soft. (Al Dente)
7. While couscous is cooking, make the vinaigrette. Place all vinaigrette ingredients except the oil into a medium bowl and whisk. Slowly drizzle in oil while you whisk. Set aside.
8. Once couscous is cooked, drain thoroughly in strainer and add hot couscous to roasted vegetable mixture. Toss slightly then add in vinaigrette. Toss again. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature so couscous can absorb the vinaigrette and flavors.
9. If you are adding the feta cheese, add this in now, however the finished dish is very good as is.
10. Serve immediately.

From A Family Feast (www.afamilyfeast.com)