Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups

Monday, July 23, 2012

Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups

Posted by Cassie / 57 comments » / Salad, Veggies

Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups

I have to say that I am loving all of the tomato love going on – so much so that I think I have had tomatoes in some way, shape or form every single day since Ali and I kicked off our recipe exchange!

So far, we have celebrated tomato appetizers, tomato dips and this week we are on to salads and we have a fun BigKitchen Salad Bowl to giveaway this week! I have worked with BigKitchen in the past and they have some great unique kitchen products in their online store! Giveaway details are below the recipe on this post.

I think tomatoes are an essential part of any kind of salads and one of my favorite kinds of salads is the classic caprese – tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and a drizzle of tangy balsamic vinegar. So that’s where my inspiration came for this salad…except I added a little more substance with some whole-wheat couscous and hollowed out some beefsteak tomatoes to serve as the “salad bowls.” I think these would be incredibly fun to serve at a dinner party!

Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups

As you guys know, we are celebrating tomatoes to share recipes but also to bring awareness to where our food comes from. If you haven’t yet checked out the information that IJM has to offer on their Recipe for Change site, I highly recommend doing so. They have made it very easy to take a stand for this cause: you can sign a petition to get your community supermarkets involved, you can sign up for email updates, you can join their Facebook community or just simply learn more about tomato farming in the US.

Annnd, get your soup recipes ready for next week. I am beyond excited to share mine with you!

Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups

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Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Total Time: 15 minutes

A classic caprese - tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella - salad with couscous and tangy balsamic vinegar, served in hollowed-out tomatoes. A perfect summer salad.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup uncooked couscous
1 cup water
4 large beefsteak tomatoes
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup fresh mozzarella, diced
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbs. olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine the couscous with the water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and allow the couscous to cook until tender, and all of the water is absorbed. Set aside.

While the couscous cooks, slice the tops off of the tomatoes and scoop out the insides of the tomatoes and discard.

In a large bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Add the cooked couscous and stir to combine. Salt and pepper to taste.

Divide the filling evenly among the four tomato “cups”. Garnish with additional basil, if desired

Cassie's Notes:
I ate one of these for dinner on the night that I made them. So with the leftovers, I poured all of the "salad" into a large bowl, chopped the beefsteak tomatoes into 1/2-inch chunks and then stirred it into the rest of the ingredients. I ate it for lunch the following day, and then added some grilled chicken for dinner the following day. There should be enough liquid to keep it cohesive. If not, add balsamic and olive oil, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach the consistency you desire.

This giveaway is now closed.

Congratulations to Amy who shared her Grilled Vegetable Salads!

For this week’s giveaway, BigKitchen has provided an Enrico Rootworks Root Wood Large Bowl with Root Servers to hold your next salad. I adore the look of these bowls. They are handcrafted so you know that no two will be the same.

~~Visit BigKitchen Store on the web or Twitter!~~

How To Participate In The Tomato Love Recipe Exchange Salad Week:
For a chance to win this Enrico Rootworks Salad Bowl and Servers set :

Write and post a recipe on your blog featuring tomato SALADS.
Include the following in your blog post: Come share in the tomato love at the Tomato Love Recipe Exchange, hosted by Gimme Some Oven & Bake Your Day, sponsored this week by BigKitchen Store. Also visit Recipe for Change to learn more about how to support tomato farmers.
No blog? Just leave your recipe in the comments section.
Add your link to the InLinkz widget below (we have the same widget code, so only add it on one site).
Submit your post before Sunday July 29, 11:59pm CST.
Anyone can participate in the link up, but the prizes will ship to US addresses only.
More detailed info is available here. There are ways to earn additional entries, make sure to come back to this post and leave a comment for each entry that you complete.

Additional Entries For Everyone!

You can earn up to three additional entries by doing each of the following, but you must leave a comment below saying that you have done so.

Twitter: Tweet the following: Join @bakeyourday & @gimmesomeoven in the #tomatolove recipe exchange, celebrating tomato farmers & recipes #r4c – http://bit.ly/QfHAJq
Instagram: Instagram a photo of your submitted recipe(s) with the following text: “I just shared (your recipe’s name) in the #TomatoLove Recipe Exchange.”
Pinterest: Pin any image from this post, inviting people to participate in the recipe exchange. Use the #TomatoLove hashtag.

Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups

Disclaimer: This giveaway is being sponsored by Big Kitchen Store. Contest is open to US residents only. For my full site disclosure, click here. This post contains affiliate links.

Posted by Cassie on July 23, 2012

57 Comments »

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57 Responses to “Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups”

1

Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious — July 23, 2012 @ 1:11 pm

This looks fabulous! And it definitely screams summer! I can’t wait to make this and devour it on my patio in the summer sun
2

Nicole @The Giving Table — July 23, 2012 @ 1:13 pm

I’m excited to contribute a recipe to the exchange this week. Your tomato cups look wonderful1
3

Paula - bell'alimento — July 23, 2012 @ 1:14 pm

I’m loving all the tomato love and how gorgeous is that bowl! xoxo
4

Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch — July 23, 2012 @ 1:15 pm

Mercy, do I love caprese and this is just perfect!
5

Ashley - baker by nature — July 23, 2012 @ 2:14 pm

I love this idea! So pretty and unique
6

Kathryn — July 23, 2012 @ 2:17 pm

These are so cute, what a perfect way to serve couscous!
7

Cindys Recipes — July 23, 2012 @ 2:23 pm

I pinned your tomato cups,and Ali’s salad on my Food For Thought board at Pinterest!
8

Cindys Recipes — July 23, 2012 @ 2:25 pm

I tweeted #tomatlove twitter link above at @writelane !
9

Cindys Recipes — July 23, 2012 @ 2:27 pm

What a gorgeous bowl! Wow! I added my #tomatolove link above! Thanks for hosting and spreading the word about the tomato farmers plight!
10

Jen @ Savory Simple — July 23, 2012 @ 2:48 pm

This is beautiful! Can’t wait to submit a tomato love recipe this week.
11

Laura (Tutti Dolci) — July 23, 2012 @ 2:51 pm

Tomato salads are my favorite! What a perfect presentation for summer!
12

Jenny @ BAKE — July 23, 2012 @ 2:54 pm

I love the use of a tomato as a serving dish! So clever
13

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — July 23, 2012 @ 3:16 pm

How cute!
14

Aggie — July 23, 2012 @ 3:21 pm

These are so creative and just awesome!
15

The Food Hunter — July 23, 2012 @ 3:25 pm

I’m having so much fun with all of these tomato recipes.

I tweeted the contest too.
16

Averie @ Averie Cooks — July 23, 2012 @ 3:29 pm

gorgeous wood pieces!

and look at these cups – so cute! love that you used the tomato as the cup!
17

Jennifer | Mother Thyme — July 23, 2012 @ 3:29 pm

What a clever idea and beautiful presentation!
18

Julia {The Roasted Root} — July 23, 2012 @ 3:56 pm

I’ve been enjoying all the awesome tomato recipes, too! Your stuffed tomatoes look delicious! It can be difficult to find healthy appetizers and yours is a real winner! The wooden bowl is really unique and rustic looking! Hope you had a fun weekend
19

Julia {The Roasted Root} — July 23, 2012 @ 4:02 pm

I tweeted your tomato love https://twitter.com/RoastedRootFood/status/227508930597765120
20

Bev @ Bev Cooks — July 23, 2012 @ 4:41 pm

Oh haaaaaayell yes, girl.
21

Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet — July 23, 2012 @ 5:00 pm

That reminds me of my college years… I used to eat a lot of couscous back then. Anyways, your tomato cups look great! I love stuffed tomatoes!
22

Kristina S — July 23, 2012 @ 5:42 pm

I pinned it.
23

Julie @ Table for Two — July 23, 2012 @ 6:32 pm

i love all the goodies stuffed into that tomato to make it a cute little bowl of goodness!
24

Liz — July 23, 2012 @ 6:45 pm

Ooh, boy. I seem to love anything Caprese…and this looks just fantastic!
25

Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. — July 23, 2012 @ 6:47 pm

I love everything about this recipe! Caprese is one of my favorite things ever!
26

leslie — July 23, 2012 @ 8:12 pm

Anything in a tomato has to be diving. What a pretty bowl!
27

Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth — July 23, 2012 @ 8:32 pm

This is making my mouth water! I love anything with caprese flavors and I love that you included some balsamic vinegar as well!
28

domestic diva — July 23, 2012 @ 8:40 pm

The bowl is amazing.

I love homemade tomato sauce:
lots of fresh tomatoes, good olive oil, fresh garlic, fresh basil, and some nice salt. It’s as simple as that.
29

Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain — July 23, 2012 @ 8:49 pm

Gorgeous! I’m loving each and every one of these #tomatolove recipes!
30

Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen — July 23, 2012 @ 9:13 pm

What a great way to enjoy those summer tomatoes!
31

BLT Sandwiches — July 24, 2012 @ 1:07 am

[...] for Change bloggers: Bake your Day Cassie The Giving Table Nicole Gimme some [...]
32

Nami | Just One Cookbook — July 24, 2012 @ 2:56 am

This will be everyone’s favorite! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like tomatoes and caprese and this looks so pretty as well. Perfect summer appetizers for the parties!
33

Cookie and Kate — July 24, 2012 @ 6:33 am

I love stuffed tomatoes, but it’s too hot to turn on the oven, so I love your version with raw tomatoes! Can’t wait to try this.
34

claire @ the realistic nutritionist — July 24, 2012 @ 9:28 am

i LOVE THIS IDEA!!!! so very much!
35

Samantha @ Ferraro Kitchen — July 24, 2012 @ 10:16 am

That bowl is so pretty!! And I am having so much fun these weeks ) Tweeted and Pinned!
36

Jackie @ Domestic Fits — July 24, 2012 @ 10:30 am

I did a salad almost identical to this a few weeks a go, with Orzo instead of couscous caprese salad in tomato cups. It’s so fun, right? The perfect salad for a dinner party
- Cassie replied: — July 24th, 2012 @ 10:33 am
  
  I just went back and looked at it, LOVE that you used pesto too! Yes, they are so fun!!
37

Angie — July 24, 2012 @ 10:34 am

This looks so cute, perfect for a summer party!
38

Dara — July 24, 2012 @ 10:37 am

Found you through Kim – wow. This recipe is beautiful. I appreciate all the info on tomatoes.
39

katie — July 24, 2012 @ 12:36 pm

love love love this recipe! Perfect for hosting a summer party! I can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
40

Ramona — July 24, 2012 @ 12:50 pm

This is a fantastic way to use a tomato!! I would love to pop these in my mouth and experience that flavor burst!!
41

Amber @ The Cook's Sister — July 24, 2012 @ 2:08 pm

I love your Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups! The presentation is very creative. I especially like the fresh ingredients (and the vibrant colours!) Reminds me of stuffed tomatoes, but better as a summer treat because you don’t have to turn on the oven!
42

Ali @ Gimme Some Oven — July 24, 2012 @ 3:56 pm

Love love LOVE! So cute!!!
43

amy @ fearless homemaker — July 24, 2012 @ 10:05 pm

this sounds absolutely delicious + i’m loving the presentation in the tomato cups. too fun!
44

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes | Cravings of a Lunatic — July 24, 2012 @ 10:15 pm

[...] posting something more serious than the usual fare I serve up. I heard about The Giving Table from Cassie of Bake Your Day. She had given me the honour of interviewing her for Burning Down The Kitchen. I [...]
45

katie — July 25, 2012 @ 7:10 am

I just added my cherry tomato, corn and black bean salad to the exchange!
46

katie — July 25, 2012 @ 7:11 am

Just tweeted about the tomato love exchange party!

https://twitter.com/KatiesCucina/status/228100048846721025
47

Wednesday Ramblings | Bake Your Day — July 25, 2012 @ 9:34 am

[...] forget to check out my caprese couscous salad in tomato cups and enter to win our #TomatoLove Salad week giveaway from BigKitchen [...]
48

Lacey - Small Town Cookie — July 25, 2012 @ 11:36 pm

I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/SmallTownCookie/status/228347821303140352
49

Lacey - Small Town Cookie — July 25, 2012 @ 11:45 pm

I shared a photo of my Tomato & Avocado Salad via instagram.
50

Shari-Tickled Red — July 26, 2012 @ 6:46 am

Oh my goodness, these are too cute!! Great idea love
51

Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry — July 26, 2012 @ 10:07 am

Love these tomato cups! I have been loving couscous, and I love anything caprese! Great idea!
52

Jill | Dulce Dough — July 26, 2012 @ 2:05 pm

A great cause and a great recipe Cassie! Love that you have the salad in tomato cups!
53

alex — July 28, 2012 @ 11:33 pm

I love every ingredient in this recipe! great job!
54

10 Creative Ways to Serve Caprese Salad | Yummly — August 22, 2012 @ 1:11 pm

[...] Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups from Bake Your Day [...]
55

Xfoodie » 10 Creative Ways to Serve Caprese Salad — August 25, 2012 @ 10:02 am

[...] Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups from Bake Your Day [...]
56

Tomato Love Finale & Recipe Roundup — November 8, 2012 @ 6:02 am

[...] Veggie Flatbread Truffle-Roasted Tomato Hummus Caprese Couscous Salad in Tomato Cups Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Roasted Poblano Peppers Creamy Southwest Pasta with Spicy Greek [...]