A colorful and appetizing bowl made with boiled Israeli couscous, pan seared shrimp, fresh cherry tomatoes, roasted pumpkin, sliced cucumber, and olives. It's garnished with fresh parsley and feta cheese and dressed with a lemon-garlic vinaigrette.

Mediterranean-Style Shrimp and Israeli Couscous Salad

Name: Mediterranean-Style Shrimp and Israeli Couscous Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: Israel Pearl Couscous, 1 cup; large shrimp, peeled and deveined, 1 pound; cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 cup halved; peeled pumpkin, cut into small cubes, 1 cup cut into small cubes; cucumber, sliced, 1/2 cup sliced; Kalamata olives, pitted and halved, 1/4 cup pitted and halved; feta cheese, crumbled, 1/4 cup crumbled; fresh parsley leaves, 1/4 cup leaves; olive oil, 1/4 cup; fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons; garlic clove, minced, 1 minced; salt, 1/2 teaspoon; black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Mediterranean

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: January 19, 2023

For this recipe, I decided to put a twist on a classic Mediterranean dish and make it suitable for the seasonal weather. This main course recipe combines fresh vegetables, seafood, and grains to create a light but satisfying meal that's perfect for a warm winter day in New York City.

Ingredients (for 4)

Israel pearl couscous - 1 cup
Large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 1 pound
Cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup - halved
Peeled pumpkin, cut into small cubes - 1 cup - cut into small cubes
Cucumber, sliced - 1/2 cup - sliced
Kalamata olives, pitted and halved - 1/4 cup - pitted and halved
Feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup - crumbled
Fresh parsley leaves - 1/4 cup - leaves
Olive oil - 1/4 cup
Fresh lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
Garlic clove, minced - 1 - minced
Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍚🍜🔥

Cook the Israeli couscous according to package instructions until tender
Step 2 - 🎃🍳🔥

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the pumpkin cubes until slightly tender and browned
Step 3 - 🍤🧂🔥

Season the shrimp with salt and black pepper, cook until pink and just cooked through
Step 4 - 🥗🍴🍅

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked couscous, cooked pumpkin, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and olives.
Step 5 - 🍋🥄🥗

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Step 6 - 🥗👋🍋

Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss to coat evenly.
Step 7 - 🍽️🥗🍤

Divide the salad into four serving bowls and top each with the cooked shrimp, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh parsley leaves.

Additional

Israeli couscous is also known as pearl couscous and can be found in most specialty grocery stores. Feel free to substitute the pumpkin with sweet potato or butternut squash, and the shrimp with grilled chicken or tofu for a vegetarian option. This dish is perfect for a picnic or outdoor lunch.