Couscous Sausage Mediterranean

This is a version of my husband Mike's basic couscous dish that he often makes. He generally puts it together with whatever we have on hand, but this version came out so well that I had to make sure to write it up. I'd be happy if he made this one weekly!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  cup  diced raw onion
• 2  teaspoons olive oil
• 8  ounces  your favorite seasoned sausage, crumbled (can use veggie sausage)
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1⁄2 cups  diced fresh tomatoes
• 2  teaspoons  minced fresh french basil
• 2  cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth, for vegetarian)
• 2  cups couscous
• 1  tablespoon  crumbled feta cheese (optional)
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
•  fresh lemon juice or  lime juice, to taste

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook until it softens, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the crumbled sausage and cook until it is mostly browned, about 7-9 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Careful not to let it burn!) Reduce heat to medium.
4. Add the tomato and basil and cook until tomato softens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Quick now, cook the couscous: bring broth to a boil, add couscous; remove from heat and let stand for 2 minutes. Stir and fluff with a fork.
6. Mix cooked sausage mixture with the cooked couscous and crumbled feta (if using). Season to taste with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and squeeze over a bit of freshly squeeze lemon or lime juice. Serve!
7. Servings: about 6.
8. Mike's suggestions for substitutions/additions: 1 Tbsp finely chopped calamata olive, chopped mushroom, chopped artichoke heart, chopped sundried tomato, sautéed fennel, spinach, chopped cucumber.
9. As far as sausage goes, we use our homemade lamb-based French Merguez (also posted here at http://www.food.com/recipe/french-merguez-sausages-culinary-communion-340487) which is astoundingly good. But a flavorful Italian sausage would be good, too. Seasoned turkey sausage would be fine if you want to make it even leaner. Or hey, mmm, chorizo! You can even use vegetarian no-meat sausage, if you like - just pay attention to the seasonings so it doesn't turn out tasting bland.
10. Re tomatoes: I dislike cooked tomato peel, so I prefer to not use cherry tomatoes for this dish. Regular chopped fresh tomato is my preference.
11. This is a really versatile recipe, you can substitute ingredients to achieve whatever flavor profile you want. Also, we get our couscous in bulk because otherwise it's far too expensive to buy in prepackaged little boxes.