Grilled Vegetable Salad with Feta and Tabbouleh

Here are a few ways you can mix it up, if you're going to eat it every day like me!

• Use your favorite combination of vegetables like grilled mushrooms, capsicum, asparagus, pumpkin, corn etc
• Swap out the cous cous with cooked quinoa for a different texture and extra boost of protein. Especially good if you're a vegetarian!
• For a more substantial dinner, toss in some grilled sliced steak, lamb, chicken or fish
• Try some different herbs in the tabbouleh. I think coriander would be a nice addition too!
• Serve with grilled pita bread or flatbread
• Swap the grilled feta for a slab of grilled haloumi

serves 8 as a side dish

WHAT YOU NEED

• 150g feta
• 1 red onion, sliced into wedges
• 1 large eggplant, cut into 2cm cubes
• 2 zucchinis, cut into 2cm slices
• 3 medium potatoes, cut into small wedges
• 1 punnet cherry tomatoes
• 50g pistachio kernels
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Caramelised balsamic vinegar
• Flatbreads to serve (optional)

Tabbouleh

• 1/2 cup raw cous cous
• 1 bunch mint, leaves picked, finely chopped
• 1 bunch parsley, leaves picked, finely chopped
• 1/2 cucumber, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon

HOW TO MAKE

Light your BBQ and give it time to preheat. Steam the chopped potatoes for 5 minutes or until nearly tender. I've also done this by placing them in a freezer bag in the microwave. Toss onion, eggplant, zucchini, cherry tomatoes and cooked potatoes in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper until evenly coated in oil.

To make the tabbouleh, place the cous cous in a medium bowl and pour over 1/2 cup boiling water. Set aside for 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool a little. In a large bowl, combine the chopped mint, parsley and cucumber, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir through the cous cous, test for seasoning and adjust. Cover and set aside until ready to serve.

In a frypan, cook the pistachios for 2 or 3 minutes, tossing regularly. Add honey and swirl around the pan for a further 3 minutes. Pour out onto a piece of baking paper and allow to cool. When caramel has hardened, roughly chop. 

Once your BBQ is hot, cook the vegetables until cooked and slightly charred. Brush the feta with olive oil and cook on BBQ plate until lightly charred on both sides. 

To serve, place the tabbouleh onto a serving platter. Pile the grilled vegetables on top with drizzle of olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Place the grilled feta on top, scatter with chopped caramelised pistachios and serve with flatbreads, if desired.