Spiced Mini Burgers With Couscous Salad

• 1 10-ounce box couscous
• 1 pound ground beef
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 scallions, trimmed and sliced
• 4 Roma (plum) tomatoes, quartered
• 1 seedless cucumber, sliced into half-moons
• 3 tablespoons tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 8-ounce container hummus (optional)

1. Place the couscous in a medium bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups hot tap water over the top. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
2. Form the beef into 12 small 1/2-inch-thick patties. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the cumin, and oregano.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook to desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.
4. Combine the couscous, scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the remaining oil in a large bowl.
5. Divide among individual plates. Serve with the burgers and hummus, if desired.
6. Turn this dinner into a Mediterranean feast by using ground lamb instead of ground beef and stirring 1/4 cup crumbled Feta into the salad.

couscous, ground beef, kosher salt, ground cumin, oregano, extravirgin olive oil, scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spiced-mini-burgers-with-couscous-salad (may not work)