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.
