Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked couscous or 1 cup uncooked rice or 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 medium cucumbers, seeded and diced
1 large ripe tomatoes, diced, with juice
1 red bell peppers, diced
1/2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
10 kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
2 cups cooked chickpeas or 2 cups canned chick-peas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice ( or more)
2 garlic cloves, minced ( can press as well)
salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
romaine lettuce leaves, ripped into bite-sized pieces
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Directions:
Cook couscous, rice, or pasta according to package directions. Fluff couscous with fork, if using. If using rice, make sure all liquid is absorbed so the rice is dry, not sticky. If using orzo, rinse hot pasta in cool water and drain well.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine cucumber, tomato, pepper, onion, olives, chickpeas, and parsley.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Season to taste with salt and freshly-ground black pepper.
Add dressing to vegetable mixture and toss well.
On a serving dish, arrange lettuce leaves, mound the couscous, rice, or pasta in center and cover with mixed vegetables.
Sprinkle with feta, if using, and serve.
Servings: 4
Time preparation: 15 min.
Time total: 25 min.