Hello? Summer calling…

Hello Summer Salad

Israeli Couscous, Corn, Heirloom Tomato, Zucchini, Jalapeño
Chunky Lemon Basil Dressing, Chervil

I forget how much I like Israeli couscous. It’s airy, toasty, and kind of fun. Perfect for summer. This roasted pasta is shaped like little balls and popular with kids in Israel where it’s called ptitim, we know it here as Israeli couscous. It makes a pasta salad that’s light and not too pasta-y. Vegetables are the star, but the couscous makes it into a meal. A beautiful colorful healthy meal for a hot summer day…

Hello Summer Salad Recipe

Chunky Lemon Basil Dressing

• 5 lemon slices – 1/4″ thick, seeds removed
• 1 c. basil leaves, loosely packed
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

Chop lemon and basil in a food processor. Stream in oil until it reaches a chunky dressing consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

Cook Israeli couscous according to package instructions.

Boil an ear of corn for 5 minutes, let cool to room temperature, then shave the kernels keeping them somewhat intact.

Peel zucchini into ribbons with a vegetable peeler. Blanch in boiling water for 15 seconds, drain, bring to room temp.

Toss thinly sliced shallot, sliced jalapeño, and halved cherry tomatoes with the chunky lemon basil dressing.

To assemble: spoon couscous over a platter. Arrange wedges of heirloom tomato and corn around the couscous. Mound the zucchini ribbons in the center. Generously ladle the chunky dressing over the zucchini. Garnish with lemon wheel, basil sprig, and fresh chopped chervil. Hello!

Summertime Summertime Sum Sum Summertime

Featuring CORN

Summer Fest is a season long franchise where Food Network editors team up with bloggers to share recipes about everyone’s favorite summertime fruits and vegetables. Be sure to check out the Pinterest Board with over 90,000 followers called Let’s Pull Up A Chair! And if that Hello Summer Salad got you longing for sweet corn, you might enjoy taking a peek at other corn-y dishes from my friends below…

Jeanette’s Healthy Living: Mexican Corn Salad “Esquites”
Virtually Homemade: Grilled Corn with Ancho Chili Butter and Fresh Lime
Domesticate Me: Campfire Chicken Packets with Zucchini, Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
Dishin & Dishes: Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn) Three Ways
Feed Me Phoebe: Corn on the Cob with Sriracha Lime Butter
Taste With The Eyes: Hello Summer Salad
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Fresh Corn, Roasted Tomato and Pickled Garlic Pizza with Cornmeal Crust
Red or Green?: Corn & Green Chile Corn Muffins
Made by Michelle: Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salsa
Blue Apron Blog: Summer Succotash with Cod and Pickled Grapes
Devour: Four Grilled Corn Favorites
The Heritage Cook: Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
The Sensitive Epicure: Cilantro Rice with Corn, Black Beans and Avocados
Pinch My Salt: Grilled Corn Guacamole
Daily*Dishin: Manchego Lime Roasted Corn
Weelicious: Corn Salsa
FN Dish: Off the Cob Salads