I originally thought this meal sounded a little boring, but it is absolutely delicious! I love, love, love these spiced mini burgers dipped in hummus and the couscous salad just tastes so unbelievably good. We keep whole wheat couscous on hand and try to experiment with different flavors every time we make it. But even though I normally hate cucumbers, this couscous recipe is my favorite!
I tore this recipe by Sara Quessenberry out of Real Simple, the April 2008 issue.
Spiced Mini Burgers With Couscous Salad
Prep
Total
Yield 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups couscous
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 6 scallions (green onions) sliced
- 4 plum tomatoes quartered
- 1 seedless cucumber cut into half-moons
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 8 ounce hummus
Instructions
- Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour 1½ cups hot tap water over the top. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes; fluff with a fork. (We tend to use couscous that requires boiling and simmering, but any kind will do.)
- Form the beef into 12 small ½-inch-thick patties. Sprinkle with the cumin, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook to the desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.
- Toss the couscous with the scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, remaining oil, 1¼ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Serve with the burgers and use hummus as a dip for the patties.
Notes
*Give this dinner a Mediterranean twist by using ground lamb for the patties and stirring ¼ cup crumbled Feta into the couscous salad.