Ingredients

The following ingredients have 5 Servings
  • 1- 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • —–
  • 1 ½ cups dry Israeli Cous Cous (uncooked) or use orzo, quinoa, freekah, or regular cous cous  ( about 4 cups cooked)
  • ½ Cup kalamata olives ( pitted, sliced)
  • ½ Cup feta cheese  ( optional)
  • ½ cup toasted pine nuts (optional, sub slivered almonds)
  • ½ cup dill or Italian parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tarragon (optional)
  • 3 scallions, sliced at a diagonal
  • Zest from one lemon (divided)
  • ⅓ C olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons whole grain mustard
  • 2 Tablespoon Red wine vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Instruction

  • 425 F oven.
  • Trim the tough ends of the asparagus off. Lay them on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1-2 T olive oil, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and cracked pepper, and half of the lemon zest. Roast in the oven until just tender, about 20-25 minutes. Cut into bite size pieces. (Alternatively, for faster preparation, blanch bite size pieces of asparagus,  with the cous cous water, during the last 2-3 minutes of the cous cous’s cooking time.)
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add Israeli Cous Cous, and cook until al dente.
  • Make the dressing. In a small bowl, stir all ingredients together.
  • Drain couscous, and place in a large bowl. Toss it with the dressing, olives, asparagus, feta, pine nuts, fresh herbs , scallions and remaining lemon zest.
  • Taste and adjust salt and lemon to your liking.
  • Serve warm, or chill and serve as a salad.
  • If serving chilled, taste the salad once more before serving and adjust salt, lemon and olive oil one more time as the cous cous may soak up some of the flavorful dressing.