Description
A vibrant and refreshing dish featuring pearl couscous tossed with sautéed courgettes, fiery red chilli, aromatic mint, and tangy lemon juice, finished with creamy Greek-style salad cheese. Perfect as a light lunch or as a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Grains
- 100g pearl couscous
Vegetables & Herbs
- 400g courgettes, roughly chopped
- ½ red onion, sliced
- 1 red chilli, deseeded if preferred, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 10g mint leaves, finely chopped, plus a few whole to serve
Condiments & Others
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 50g light Greek-style salad cheese
Instructions
- Cook the couscous: Follow the pack instructions to cook 100g pearl couscous, then drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 400g roughly chopped courgettes and ½ sliced red onion. Fry, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and nicely browned.
- Add chilli and garlic: Stir in the finely chopped red chilli and 2 finely sliced garlic cloves into the pan. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant.
- Flavor the mix: Remove the pan from heat. Stir through 10g finely chopped mint leaves, juice of ½ a lemon, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix well to combine all flavors.
- Assemble and serve: Divide the cooked couscous onto serving plates. Spoon over the courgette and chilli mixture. Crumble 50g light Greek-style salad cheese on top and garnish with whole mint leaves for freshness.
Notes
- Deseed the chilli if you prefer a milder dish.
- Use light Greek-style salad cheese for a lighter option, but feta or halloumi can also be substituted.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Pair with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal.
- Adding a handful of toasted pine nuts or almonds can add a nice crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: courgette recipe, pearl couscous, vegetarian couscous, Mediterranean dish, mint and chilli, light lunch, healthy side dish
