Couscous Salad

Although the most people think of it as a grain, light, fluffy couscous is actually a type of pasta. It is fabulous for simple salads because it is able to carry out the flavour of other ingredients brilliantly. Try this wonderful couscous salad next time you're craving a hearthy salad.

Serves: 4

Prepare: 15 minutes

Cook: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• about 400ml vegetable stock
• 160g couscous
• 50g raisins
• 50g currants
• 1 red pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 green pepper, seeded and diced
• 50g sun-dried tomatoes in oil, roughly chopped
• 1 onion diced
• 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• ½ small bunch fresh mint, roughly chopped (or dried oregano)

1 . Bring the vegetable stock to the boil. Put the couscous, raisins and currants into a bowl. Pour the boiling stock into the bowl. Leave the couscous to stand for about 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

2 . Put the diced peppers, tomatoes and onion into a serving bowl. Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice and olive oil to make a dressing. Season with salt and pepper, and pour it over the vegetables. Add the couscous and mint/oregano, toss to combine and serve.

Tip: Perfect for a light summer meal or accompaniment to other quick bites to round up a picnic menu. Enjoy!