Giant Mediterranean Couscous with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade
This giant Mediterranean couscous is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer meal. The couscous is cooked in vegetable broth and then topped with a sun-dried tomato and olive tapenade. The tapenade is made with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, and olive oil, and it adds a salty and briny flavor to the dish. The couscous is also topped with fresh basil and parsley, which adds a fresh and herbaceous flavor.
This recipe was inspired by a trip I took to the Mediterranean coast of Spain. I was staying in a small village and I had the opportunity to cook with a local family. They made me a dish of giant couscous with a sun-dried tomato and olive tapenade, and I was immediately hooked. The flavors were so bright and fresh, and the couscous was cooked perfectly. I knew I had to recreate the dish when I got home, and I've been making it ever since.
Giant Mediterranean Couscous with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade Giant Mediterranean Couscous with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade Giant Mediterranean Couscous with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade Giant Mediterranean Couscous with Sun-Dried Tomato and Olive Tapenade
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup giant Israeli couscous
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped zucchini
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. In a large saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil.
  2. Add the couscous and stir.
  3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the couscous is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
  4. While the couscous is cooking, make the tapenade by combining the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, and olive oil in a food processor.
  5. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed.
  6. Once the couscous is cooked, fluff it with a fork and spread it out on a serving platter.
  7. Top with the tapenade and sprinkle with the fresh herbs.
Why It Works
  • The giant couscous is a good canvas for the tapenade. The couscous is large enough to hold the tapenade without getting soggy, and it has a slightly chewy texture that pairs well with the tapenade.
  • The sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy flavor to the tapenade. The tomatoes are also packed with umami, which gives the tapenade a rich and savory flavor.
  • The olives add a salty and briny flavor to the tapenade. The olives also add a bit of texture to the tapenade.
  • The capers add a sour and salty flavor to the tapenade. The capers also add a bit of crunch to the tapenade.
  • The olive oil helps to bind the ingredients in the tapenade together. The olive oil also adds a rich and flavorful base to the tapenade.
  • The fresh basil and parsley add a fresh and herbaceous flavor to the dish. The herbs also help to brighten the flavors of the tapenade.