Peppers with Couscous Salad

Couscous is a versatile and delicious ingredient, perfect for creating a fresh and colorful salad that can be served both as an appetizer and as a side dish. We start by placing the couscous in a generous bowl, then adding hot water in a ratio of 1:4, meaning for 4 tablespoons of couscous, we will use about 300 ml of boiling water. We cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let the couscous swell for about 20 minutes. This step is essential as the couscous absorbs the water and becomes fluffy and easy to mix.

In the meantime, we take care of the fresh vegetables that will add flavor and texture to our salad. We start with the red bell pepper: we carefully remove the seeds and white membrane, ensuring that only the juicy flesh remains. The carrot is grated on a fine grater, and this step will not only add a hint of sweetness but will also provide a vibrant color to the dish. To easily peel the tomatoes, we dip them in boiling water for a minute, then immediately transfer them to a bowl of cold water. This simple method will help us remove the skin easily. Once peeled, we chop them into small cubes, just like the cucumber and red bell pepper.

Once the couscous has swelled and the vegetables are prepared, we add all the ingredients to a large bowl. We gently mix to ensure that each piece of vegetable is well combined with the couscous. Now it's time to adjust the taste: we add salt to preference, then olive oil to provide a rich note, and lemon juice will add a pleasant acidity, balancing the flavors. Chopped parsley leaves will bring an extra freshness and an attractive appearance.

After mixing all the ingredients well, we prepare to present the salad. We take a yellow bell pepper, cut it in half, keeping the stem intact for a decorative look. We fill each half of the pepper with the couscous and vegetable salad, ensuring that the pepper is full of colors and textures. The final result is a salad that is not only delicious but also aesthetic, perfect for impressing at any meal. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients!