Easy Vegan Couscous Salad (Ready in 20 Minutes!) - The Pesky Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 cup (180 g) dried couscous ((see notes for ratio info))
• 1 cup (240 ml) kettle-hot water or vegan stock
• 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced
• 4 medium tomatoes, diced
• ½ medium cucumber, diced
• 1 cup (150 g) pitted black olives, sliced in half
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ((plus more to taste))
• 2 small cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped ((optional))
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Small handful fresh basil