Lemony Fregola with Blistered Grapes and Mint
Toasty fregola and blistered grapes make a warm, lemony side with feta and mint in every forkful.
Prep: 10 · Cook: 20 · Total: 30 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.8/5 (112 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
Toasted pasta and sweet fruit make this a flexible side that can bridge a weeknight roast and a sunny picnic table.
Story
Casey likes a side dish that gives the rest of dinner a little sparkle. Fregola brings a toasty chew, grapes turn jammy at the edges, and lemon keeps the feta from feeling heavy. Mint makes it taste garden-fresh. It is just as happy beside grilled chicken as it is packed for lunch.
By Casey
Ingredients
- 1 cup fregola or toasted pearl couscous
- 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups seedless red grapes
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring the broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan, add the fregola, and cook for 12 to 14 minutes until tender but still pleasantly chewy.
- Drain the fregola well and toss it with the olive oil to keep the grains separate.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the grapes, and cook for 4 minutes until their skins blister and they begin to soften.
- Drizzle the honey over the grapes and cook for 30 seconds, turning gently to coat.
- Whisk the lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic in a large bowl, then add the warm fregola and toss.
- Fold in the blistered grapes, feta, mint, and black pepper, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Chef Tips
- Keep the fregola slightly underdone because it continues to soften as it sits.
- Use seedless grapes so each bite stays easy to eat.
- Let the skillet get hot before adding the grapes for the best blistering.
- Swap feta for ricotta salata when you want a firmer salty finish.
Cook's Notes
- **Fregola:** Rinse only if the package directs you to, since the starch helps the dressing cling.
- **Grapes:** Blister them in a single layer.
- **Honey:** Add it after the skins soften so it does not scorch.
- **Serving:** Bring to room temperature for the fullest flavor.