Spinach and Artichoke Salad with Couscous Cakes and Feta
Quick-to-cook couscous cakes make this meatless main-course salad satisfying.

Ingredients
For the dressing:
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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1 tablespoon sour cream
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1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint
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5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the couscous cakes:
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3/4 cup couscous
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Kosher salt
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1 large clove garlic, peeled
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1/4 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
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1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
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2 large eggs, lightly beaten
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Finely grated zest of 1 medium lemon (about 1-1/2 teaspoons)
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3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
For the salad:
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8 ounces baby spinach, washed and dried (about 6 lightly packed cups)
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1 14-ounce can artichoke bottoms, drained, rinsed, and sliced
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15 cherry tomatoes, halved
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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
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1 ounce crumbled feta (about 1/4 cup)
Directions
1.
In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, sour cream, and mint. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
2.
Put the couscous and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water to the couscous, cover the bowl with a pan lid or plate, and let sit for 4 to 5 minutes.
3.
Coarsely chop the garlic in a food processor. Add the parsley and pulse until finely chopped. Add the chickpeas and 1 teaspoon salt and pulse until coarsely chopped.
4.
Uncover the couscous and fluff with a fork. Stir in the chickpea mixture, eggs, and lemon zest until well combined. Press the couscous mixture into a 1/4-cup measure, smooth the top, and invert the measuring cup to release the cake onto a plate. Repeat with the remaining couscous mixture to make 9 cakes.
5.
Heat 1-1/2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering hot. Add 5 of the couscous cakes to the skillet and use a spatula to lightly flatten the cakes so they're about 3/4 inch thick. Cook, flipping once, until crisp and golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add the remaining 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil to the skillet and cook the remaining cakes the same way.
6.
In a large bowl, toss the spinach, artichokes, and tomatoes with about three-quarters of the dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper and divide among 3 large plates. Top each salad with 3 couscous cakes, sprinkle each salad with feta, and drizzle with the remaining dressing.
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