Fig Bacon Balsamic Couscous Salad

Aaaand my fig obsession continues. Every yr about this fourth dimension, I purchase equally many equally I can because I honey them and so much. Their flavor is WAY also brusk! I found the nigh GORGEOUS figs concluding week at the shop too knew I had to make something delicious amongst them.

I hateful, can y'all even stand how beautiful they are? Then light-green ones are my favorite. These were really “tiger figs” which I don’t intend I’ve e'er had. I used dark mission figs which are wonderful too. I intend they’re just a tad less sugariness. I honey figs because they have that “popular” from the seeds, because texture is my favorite thing always, too I beloved the fact that they’re not toooo sweetness. I’1000 not much of a sweets mortal. I selection salty over sweet whatsoever twenty-four hour period of the week. When they’re together though, that’sec some other storey.

Like in this instance! Sweet figs, salty bacon, mozzarella, too sugariness balsamic vinaigrette as well as glaze brand for the almost delicious combo. Fresh basil too chives besides! I judge that counts equally the green inward this salad. Ha.

For the dressing, I made a version of my fig balsamic vinaigrette from this salad. It’sec but fig jam, balsamic, garlic, table salt, pepper, and olive crude. The fig jam makes it thicker together with more than emulsified than a classic balsamic vinaigrette. SO insanely good.

I well-nigh used orzo for this salad, which yous could totally do, just the store didn’t accept whatsoever. I grew upwards eating a lot of orzo salads so it’sec super nostalgic for me. My mom would make orzo amongst sautéed onions too parm every bit a side dish for many dinners and it was and then good! Haven’t had it inwards years only I tin can nevertheless taste it.

Instead, I opted for Israeli couscous which is and so fun! I haven’t had it inwards awhile together with I forgot how much I loved it. It’s but then fun to consume! Because hullo, texture.

And for an extra layer of sugariness balsamic goodness, I added balsamic glaze over the elevation! Optional simply highly recommended. Sometimes I brand my ain, simply the crush bottles they’re selling forthwith arrive so easy! And it’s super thick in addition to luxurious. Win win.

Love this so much.

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Fig Bacon Couscous Salad with Mozzarella, Basil, Chives, too Balsamic Vinaigrette

This summery couscous salad is filled with gorgeous fresh figs, bacon, mozzarella, basil, chives, too a super uncomplicated balsamic vinaigrette!

Course

Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Prep Time xx minutes

Cook Time ten minutes

Total Time thirty minutes

Servings iv

Ingredients

For the salad

• 
  one
  (viii ounce) package Israeli couscous (tin sub orzo if desired)
  


• 
  8
  slices
  bacon, cooked together with crumbled
  


• 
  8
  fresh figs, quartered, plus a few extra for topping
  


• 
  three/four
  loving cup
  fresh mini mozzarella balls, halved
  


• 
  ii
  tablespoons
  chopped chives, summation extra for serving
  


• 
  ii
  tablespoons
  chopped fresh basil, addition extra for serving
  


• 
  balsamic glaze for topping
  

For the dressing

• 
  1
  clove
  garlic
  


• 
  i
  tablespoon
  fig jam
  


• 
  one/3
  loving cup
  balsamic vinegar
  


• 
  1/2
  cup
  olive petroleum
  


• 
  ane/iv
  teaspoon
  common salt
  


• 
  one/four
  teaspoon
  pepper
  

Instructions

1. 
   

   Bring a pot of H2O to a boil for the orzo. Cook according to bundle directions. Drain together with and then rinse amongst cold water. Make sure it has cooled before assembling the salad.

   
   


2. 
   

   Make the dressing. Combine garlic, fig jam, balsamic vinegar, olive rock oil, salt, together with pepper inward a nutrient processor or blender. Blend until smoothen too creamy.

   
   


3. 
   

   To get together the salad, combine cooled couscous, bacon, figs, together with mozzarella balls in a large bowl in addition to stir gently to combine. Add desired sum of dressing (you lot volition take a fleck leftover), also as the chives and basil as well as stir to combine.

   
   


4. 
   

   To serve, superlative with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, extra chopped chives as well as basil, as well as more fresh figs!