I made this meal a few weeks ago, and finally getting around to posting it. So sorry to keep this prize-winning meal from you until now! This is delicious and quick! The couscous salad is awesome and lasted us for days because it made so much. I'll actually make the couscous salad for a potluck or party sometime when I need to bring a dish to pass.
This meal also made us feel pretty good about eating it. With the tomatoes, lemon juice and cucumbers mixed in, and then the beef burgers and couscous, I felt we were getting a pretty well-balanced meal! 🙂 The lemon flavor also came through quite well in the salad, giving it a lighter taste. The original recipe says to serve with hummus (optional). I chose to leave it out.
This is a great meal to welcome the spring weather! You can grill your mini burgers on the grill outside if you like...
Spiced Mini Burgers with Couscous Salad (adapted from Real Simple magazine)
1 10-oz box couscous
1 lb ground beef
kosher salt and pepper
1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 ½ tablespoon dried oregano
4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
6 scallions, trimmed and sliced
4 Roma (plum) tomatoes, quartered
1 seedless cucumber, sliced into half-moons
3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Prepare couscous according to box directions.
Form the beef into 12 small ½-inch-thick patties. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, the cumin, and oregano.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook to desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.
Combine the couscous, scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and the remaining olive oil in a large bowl.
Divide among individual plates.
Nikki says
Hi Melissa! So glad you like the blog and find it helpful! Too bad you are not still in Wheaton, I'd love to meet you!
Chuck says
It's funny my wife and I were just talking yesterday while looking through a Donna Hay cookbook and that we never use Coucous in anything we make. Will have to give it a try.
Anonymous says
hey nikki, this is melissa moore, we never met, to my dismay, but i was in exegesis at wheaton. i have been following your food blog because i just got married and i am in desperate need. thank you! this one looks great!
Katie says
This looks soooooo good! I don't like red meat, but I LOVE mini burgers and that cous cous looks so great with it.
Deborah says
It all sounds wonderful, but I really want to try that couscous salad!