Crispy vegetable & couscous salad

Couscous is a lovely alternative to rice and pasta in salads. This one is vegetarian and full of delicious and unusual flavours

Prep: 5 mins + soaking time
Cook: 15 mins
Serves: 2

What you need:

• 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 100g/ 4oz chestnut mushrooms, halved
• 100g/ 4oz cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp pine nuts
• 150g/ 5oz couscous
• 1 tbsp pesto sauce
• 1 (200g) bag crisp salad mix
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

What you do:

1. Preheat the oven to 220ºC/Fan 200ºC/450ºF/Gas Mark 7. Place the pepper, onion, mushrooms and tomatoes in a roasting tin, add the olive oil and toss well. Roast for 15 mins. Stir in the pine nuts and roast for a further 5 mins or until the vegetables are tender and lightly charred.
2. Meanwhile, place the couscous and pesto in a large bowl and season to taste. Pour over 300ml/ ½ pt boiling water, stir well, then cover the bowl with an upturned plate. Leave to soak for 10 mins or until all the water has been absorbed. Fluff the grains up with a fork.
3. Stir the roasted vegetables into the couscous along with the salad leaves. Serve straight away.
4. Serve with warmed toasted pitta bread.

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