MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS SALAD

Mediterranean Couscous Salad image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Time 55m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons olive oil (1 tablespoon for the tomatoes and 1 tablespoon to toss with the couscous)
4 yellow tomatoes
1 pound Israeli couscous (pearl pasta)
1 red bell pepper, stems and seeds removed and cut brunoise
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, packed plus a few small sprigs for garnish
1 (8-ounce) jar picked cipollini onions
2 English cucumbers, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick disks
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed with the side of a knife blade and quartered
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil on the tomatoes (reserving the rest) and roast for about 25 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool, and cut into wedges.
Boil couscous until al dente as you would for pasta, drain well, and toss with 1 tablespoon reserved olive oil.
For the dressing, add the vinegar to a blender and replace the cover. Turn on the blender and through the feed opening add, 1 at a time, the garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Leaving the blender running, add the olive oil in a slow thin stream. Set aside briefly.
Toss together the couscous, tomatoes, bell pepper, mint leaves, cipollini onions, and cucumber with enough of the dressing to coat. Serve additional dressing on the side.