Posted in Recipes on 20.08.2023
Couscous Salad with Roast Peaches
prep: 10 mins / cook: 35 mins / inactive: 0 mins / total: 45 mins / quantity: 2 servings Print recipe?
Summery Couscous Salad bursting with flavour! Fresh summer veggies, pesto, roast peaches, vegan yoghurt and feta all combine in this easy summer salad.
Oh lawdy I’m enjoying summer salads right now. Possibly more so than any other year. I think because summer came early here in the UK and has kind of fizzled a bit since and I’m trying to keep the summer vibes going by embracing as much seasonal fruits and veggies as possible. And this couscous salad celebrates so much of what’s perfectly in season right now. But with minimal effort and delicious results!
How to cook couscous:
If you can make a cup of tea you can make couscous. Yep, it really is that simple.
Originating in West Africa (Morocco and Algeria to be specific) in the 11th century and natively means ‘well rolled’ or ‘well formed’. There are three types – Moroccan, pearl and Lebanese and it’s the Moroccan style of couscous that I’m using here for this couscous salad. It’s light, versatile and so easy to prepare and has numerous health benefits.
Cooking couscous is as simple as measuring the couscous into a heatproof jug or bowl and adding boiling water or stock. Cover the bowl, leave for 5-10 minutes then simply fluff with a fork to separate the grains and you’ve got lovely, perfectly prepared couscous.
How to make this easy summer salad:
First thing to do is get the peaches roasting. Cut in half, remove the stone and place on a baking tray. Dot with butter, drizzle with syrup then roast for 30-40 minutes. You want reasonably firm peaches as this makes cutting and removing the stone that much easier and they hold their shape well during cooking.
While they’re roasting, prepare the couscous. Put the couscous in a heatproof jug or bowl and pour over the boiling stock. Give a quick stir then cover (I just use a tea-towel) and leave for 5-10 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork to separate the grains then set aside to cool.
If you’re making your own homemade vegan pesto (which I thoroughly recommend – shop bought pesto I find rather bland) get that whizzing while the peaches finish roasting. The recipe I’ve linked makes more than you need but that just means you can make so many other things! Like this pesto pasta, or this white bean soup, or how about this simply divine pizza tear and share bread. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the best vegan lasagne!
Finishing the salad:
To serve, spoon the couscous into a serving bowl or onto plates then top with the tomatoes and diced cucumber. Nestle in the roast peaches, drizzle over any of the juices left on the tray from cooking the peaches.
Dot over the yogurt and pesto then scatter over the feta.
Honestly, my mouth is watering as I type all this! Fortunately I’ve got it for lunch again tomorrow 🙂 Serve this lovely lot straight away and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Looking for even more delicious vegan summer salad recipes? Try these:
Roasted new potato salad with tzatziki and quick pickled red onions
Butterbean and arugula salad with balsamic dressing
Warm peach and sweet potato salad
Pear salad with red cabbage and homemade croutons
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Couscous Salad with Roast Peaches
prep: 10 mins / cook: 35 mins / inactive: 0 mins / total: 45 mins / quantity: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 4 firm peaches
- 2 tablespoons (30g) butter – cut into small cubes
- 1-2 tablespoons agave or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup (100g) couscous
- 1/2 cup (125ml) hot vegetable stock
- 2 cups (250g) cherry or grape tomatoes – halved
- 1 cup (80g) diced cucumber
- 3-4 tablespoons vegan pesto
- 2-3 tablespoons vegan yoghurt
- 1/2 cup (75g) vegan feta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 Fan / 200 C / 400 F / Gas 6
- Cut the peaches in half and remove the stone then lay the peaches cut side up on a baking tray
- Dot each peach half with the cubes of butter and drizzle with the syrup. Roast for 35-40 minutes until soft
- While they're roasting prepare the couscous - put the couscous into a heatproof bowl or jug and add the hot stock. Cover and set aside for 5-10 minutes
- Fluff the couscous with a fork
- Make the pesto if you're making it yourself
- To serve: spoon the couscous onto serving plates then top with the halved cherry tomatoes and diced cucumber. Nestle in the peaches, drizzling over any juices from the tray
- Spoon over the yoghurt and pesto then crumble over the feta
- Serve immediately, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge
Hello there! I’m Sam, former Michelin star pastry chef and now your go-to vegan foodie on a mission to make plant-based eating a deliciously easy adventure! From cozy comfort foods to vibrant salads and decadent desserts, there’s something for everyone in my kitchen.
Whether you’re cooking for one or for a houseful I believe food doesn’t have to be complicated to be full of FLAVOUR and I want to show you how. I’ve been a rigorous meal planner for over a decade whilst embracing seasonal ingredients (because that’s where the real flavour is!)
I’m also a dedicated dog mum to Nooch and Baxter and enjoy cooking them homemade treats (many of which are posted here) when I’m not screaming at the tennis or devouring fantasy fiction.
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