So… It’s been nearly 8 months since I posted a recipe. I’m pretty sure I know this is an UNPRECEDENTED hiatus from Life Should Taste Good, but in my defense… I just didn’t feel like writing.

“The food so nice they named it twice!”
-Dale Denton, Pineapple Express

Post-Oklacoma, post-Nick redeploying, post-moving into my 6th new residence in less than three years, I had kinda lost my cooking mojo. What made me take pen to paper again, you may ask? Tuesday-night-Chardonnay number two. I wish it was more profound than that #imlying #ilovewine.

Personally I’m not sad that summer is ending; I love a good, warm, gut-hiding poncho and things like fingerless gloves– in case I haven’t been clear, I’m a drunk hobo. Although this dish is kind of summery, it is one of the first things in a long time that has made me go…

I was almost as excited when I tried this couscous as I was when I realized I could put GIFs into my blog. So let’s enjoy the foliage and toast to yet another sweaty summer gone by… Enjoy!

Couscous Recipe

*The vegetables are completely interchangeable, choose what you like! I’ve listed what I used, but feel free to make the dish your own.

Ingredients:

FOR THE COUSCOUS:

1 (10oz) box Israeli Couscous (I used the NearEast brand)

1 medium zucchini, diced into large chunks

1 medium yellow squash, diced into large chunks

1/2 large red onion, roughly diced

10-12 cherry tomatoes, halved

2 scallions, chopped (green and white parts)

feta, crumbled for garnish (optional)

FOR THE DRESSING:

(slightly adapted from the Basil blog)

1/4 cup olive oil

3/4 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried oregano

3/4 tsp basil, fresh or dried

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dijon mustard

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp feta, crumbled

1. Prepare the couscous according to the package instructions.

2. Preheat the oven to 350F while you chop the zucchini, squash and red onion. Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Toss the chopped veggies with about a tablespoon of olive oil and spread in a single layer on the baking sheet (we’re reserving the scallions and tomatoes until it’s ready to serve).

3. Bake the vegetables for about 25-30 minutes, tossing once about halfway through. The vegetables will get soft and may even darken on the bottom (which is good! unless they’re totally black, a little bit of char adds great flavor).

4. Allow both the couscous and the veggies to cool to room temp once they’re finished cooking. In the meantime, throw everything for the dressing in a blender or food processor and whiz until they’re combined and the dressing is fairly smooth.

5. Toss the veggies, couscous and 3/4 of the dressing together in a large bowl and cover with tin foil. Refrigerate the mixture for several hours or until thoroughly chilled. Stir the mixture again and add more dressing if it needs it– sometimes it sticks together and the dressing will help to loosen it again. Add the tomatoes, scallions and feta (if using).

Serve chilled.