Fried Tomatoes with Mint Couscous
A lively fresh appetizer perfect for the summer. Mint and oregano brightness the couscous toped with fried tomatoes, almonds and a bit of salty feta.
Yield
4 servingsPrep
20 minCook
20 minReady
60 minIngredients
Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
---|---|---|---|
1 ¼ | cups |
vegetable stock
brought to the boil |
|
1 |
oregano sprigs
or 1/2 teaspoon dried |
* | |
1 | cup |
couscous
whole wheat or regular |
|
3 | teaspoons |
olive oil
|
|
2 |
tomatoes
fresh, ripe and sliced thick |
||
¼ | teaspoon |
black pepper
fresh ground |
|
1 |
onions
diced |
||
2 | teaspoons |
olive oil
|
|
½ | tablespoon |
lemon zest
or more |
|
2 | tablespoons |
capers
rinsed, and roughly chopped if they are large |
|
3 | tablespoons |
mint leaves
fresh, chopped |
|
2 | ounces |
arugula (roquette)
or baby spinach |
|
4 | ounces |
feta cheese
crumbled or cubed |
|
¼ | cup |
almonds
sliced, toasted |
|
4 | pinch |
sea salt
(optional, to season tomatoes slices) |
* |
4 | teaspoons |
olive oil, extra-virgin
to drizzle |
Ingredients
Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
---|---|---|---|
296 | ml |
vegetable stock
brought to the boil |
|
1 | each |
oregano sprigs
or 1/2 teaspoon dried |
* |
237 | ml |
couscous
whole wheat or regular |
|
15 | ml |
olive oil
|
|
2 | each |
tomatoes
fresh, ripe and sliced thick |
|
1.3 | ml |
black pepper
fresh ground |
|
1 | each |
onions
diced |
|
1E+1 | ml |
olive oil
|
|
7.5 | ml |
lemon zest
or more |
|
3E+1 | ml |
capers
rinsed, and roughly chopped if they are large |
|
45 | ml |
mint leaves
fresh, chopped |
|
57.8 | ml/g |
arugula (roquette)
or baby spinach |
|
115.6 | ml/g |
feta cheese
crumbled or cubed |
|
59 | ml |
almonds
sliced, toasted |
|
4 | pinch |
sea salt
(optional, to season tomatoes slices) |
* |
2E+1 | ml |
olive oil, extra-virgin
to drizzle |
Directions
Bring the stock to the boil in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat. Add the oregano and couscous, stir and cover. Remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes until the stock has been absorbed.
Turn on the heat to medium. Add two teaspoons of oil to the skillet. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until translucent and softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the lemon zest and capers to the skillet and cook for one minute.
Add the couscous and mint to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly until heated through, about 2 minutes.
Heat the remaining 3 teaspoons of the oil in non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the tomato slices with black pepper.
Add the tomato slices and sear on each side. About 4 minutes per side or until a brown crust forms. Be careful not to over cook. Remove and set aside.
Divide greens amongst 4 serving plates (or 2 to make it a main dish). Then place the couscous on top of each greens. Top the fried tomato slices, sprinkle toasted almond slices and feta cheese over the tomatoes.
Sprinkle a tiny amount of flaky sea salt on the tomato slices. Drizzle with a small amount of good extra-virgin olive oil. Add more black pepper to taste and serve immediately.