Recipe: Grilled Vegetables with Couscous and Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Recipe: Grilled Vegetables with Couscous and Orange-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Replace the feta with grilled slices of the springy Greek sheep cheese called Halloumi, if you like. Simply brush the hunk of Halloumi with olive oil, grill for a couple of minutes on each side, slice and serve. For a beautiful presentation, cut the vegetables on the bias to make diagonal slices, exposing more of their surface to the grill.

Serves 4

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil*
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 large red onion, thickly sliced into rounds
1 (1-pound) eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
2 medium zucchini or yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 6 pieces
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1/2 cup orange juice*
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar*
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/3 cup feta cheese crumbles
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Method
Combine 1/4 cup of the oil, lemon juice, oregano and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add onions, eggplant, zucchini and peppers and toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.

Preheat grill. Arrange marinated vegetables in a single layer on the grill and cook, flipping once, until tender and golden brown, about 10 minutes total. Transfer to a platter and keep warm.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add orange juice and reduce liquid by half, 6 to 8 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, then remove from the heat and set vinaigrette aside.

Bring 1 1/2 cups water, remaining 1 tablespoon oil and salt to a boil in a small pot. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from heat. Allow to sit 15 minutes; fluff with a fork.

Arrange couscous in the middle of a large platter. Top with grilled vegetables and drizzle with warm vinaigrette. Garnish with feta cheese and parsley and serve.

Nutrition
Per serving: 470 calories (220 from fat), 24g total fat, 5g saturated fat, 10mg cholesterol, 440mg sodium, 54g total carbohydrate (9g dietary fiber, 11g sugar), 11g protein