Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil Couscous

We had this recipe a few weeks ago at a cookout and have made it twice since. If you like a cool "salad" of sorts for summertime, this is your recipe. Thanks Paige!

Ingredients:
2 cups diced tomatoes
3/4 cup diced fresh mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed and minced
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions:
-In a large bowl combine the tomato, mozzarella, shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic, toss well then refrigerate, covered, to marinate for 30 minutes.
-In a saucepan bring the water to a boil and gradually stir in the couscous; remove from the stove, cover, and set aside for 5 minutes.
-With a fork, fluff the couscous then let cool.
-Add the cooled couscous and chopped basil to the tomato mixture in the bowl and toss.

Tips from a Kitchen of Reality
- Couscous can be found by the rice and pastas in most stores. I got mine at Harris Teeter.
- Scallions... shallots... green onions. All pretty much the same thing, but green onions are easiest and cheapest to find.
- I used balsamic vinegar.
- I also used more mozzarella, tomatoes, and vinegar than it called for. It's a no fail recipe, so after you make it the first time, add more of what you like and less of what you don't! Less onions for me.