Israeli couscous salad with artichokes & olives

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cups

water

salt

1 cup

Israeli couscous (also called pearl couscous)

1/2

medium cucumber, sliced and quartered

1/2 cup

halved cherry tomatoes

green onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup

chopped marinated artichoke hearts (The grilled variety are my favorite)

1/4 cup

sliced Castelvetrano olives*

small clove garlic, zested with Microplane zester or minced

1 handful

basil, roughly chopped (about 1/4 cup)

1 1/2 tsp

balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 tsp

extra virgin olive oil

Pepper,