ROASTED ASPARAGUS, TOMATO, & FETA COUSCOUS

Roasted asparagus, fresh cherry tomatoes, garlicky couscous, and feta cheese with a simple vinaigrette. A great Spring side dish!

A few notes for this recipe : 

• You can also roast the tomatoes with the asparagus if you are a fan of roasted tomatoes. Just add an extra tablespoon of olive oil and toss them on the same tray.
• I use a boxed and seasoned couscous mix because I love the flavor it adds to this salad, but feel free to use plain couscous in its place.
• The dressing is just a simple balsamic + olive oil dressing with a little dijon for thickness and honey for sweetness. I add in a little extra garlic because I add garlic to pretty much every single dressing (#obsessed), but if you don’t love garlic, it still tastes great without it!
• And the last thing: you can easily change out the cheese on top. We love feta, but goat cheese is another delicious topping with these ingredients. If you aren’t a fan of either, a little bit of freshly grated Parmesan would be delicious (just go light on adding salt to the rest of the salad as to avoid it being overly salty.)

Roasted Asparagus, Tomato, & Feta Couscous Recipe

Roasted asparagus, fresh cherry tomatoes, garlicky couscous, and feta cheese with a simple vinaigrette. A great Spring side dish!

Ingredients

• 1 bunch fresh asparagus
• Salt and pepper
• 1 fresh lemon
• 1 package (5.8 ounces) Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Couscous (I buy the Near East mix, you can substitute 1 cup plain cooked couscous)
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 4 tablespoons olive oil, separated
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 of 1 container (10.5 ounces) ripe cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Break off the woody ends of the asparagus. Toss the asparagus, 2 tablespoons olive oil, about 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste) together on a large sheet pan. 
2. Bake in the oven for 12-17 minutes (depending on the asparagus thickness), flipping the spears once halfway into the cooking time. Remove and squeeze 1 tablespoon lemon juice over the spears. Allow to cool and chop into 2-inch pieces.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the packaged couscous according to package directions. Allow to cool.
4. While the asparagus is cooking, prepare the dressing. Pour the vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce until the vinegar is halved (about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons). Allow to slightly cool and toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, dijon mustard, and honey. Briskly whisk and season with salt and pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or to taste).
5. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
6. Add the cooled couscous, cooled chopped asparagus, and cherry tomatoes to a large bowl. Lightly toss. Add dressing to taste and another fresh squeeze of lemon if desired. Lightly toss again and then top with the crumbled feta cheese. Enjoy immediately.
7. If you don't plan on eating all of the salad, only dress what you will eat (this salad doesn't sit well with the dressing for an extended time).

Recipe Adapted : ROASTED ASPARAGUS, TOMATO, & FETA COUSCOUS @ chelseasmessyapron