The Busy Gourmand

Shrimp, Feta and Couscous Salad

I am not a person who usually puts in a plug for prepackaged food. But once in a while you come across something that is pretty good and becomes a staple in the pantry. In my case it has even earned a container in the cabinet along with rice, beans, and assorted pastas. It is produced by World Market and is called Couscous Medley. It is a pearl couscous, also called Israeli couscous for some reason, that is mixed with lentils, orzo, and dried corn. I have been making a lot of warm salads with it and it is remarkably versatile.

I have made it with vinaigrettes and simple lemon juice and olive oil mixtures. I have made it completely vegetarian or mixed it with some leftover chicken and in this case some shrimp. The mixture tends to work best with feta cheese for some reason. Topped with some fresh herbs it is really hard to beat for a quick, easy, hearty salad.

This particular shrimp salad is very simple. It includes the couscous, onions, tomatoes, a mixture of greek olives, some fresh herbs, feta cheese, and a simple lemon and olive oil emulsion. I suppose you could serve it cold but I prefer it on the warm side, especially this time of the year. Who would have thought something out of the package could be so good?

World Market Couscous Medley