Israeli Couscous Recipe Cinnamon Lemon Happy Happy Nester

LEMON INFUSED COUSCOUS PEARLS

Steps:

• Heat small pot with a tablespoon of butter, 1 shallot and the zest of half a lemon.
• Over medium heat, we are going to melt the butter and let the butter get infused with the flavors of the shallot and the lemon zest. Give this about 3 minutes. Again, you are sweating the aromatics not browning them.
• Throw in a cup of your Israel couscous and toss everything together, ensuring your couscous is covered by the shallot and butter mixture. Essentially you are toasting them a bit. Do this for about 2 minutes.
• Pour in 1 and 1/4 cups of chicken broth, stock or water. I find the chicken stocks and broths give it a more savory flavor. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered for 10 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork. This will ensure you have light and fluffy individual grains. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and mix with a fork. Taste for seasoning.
• Serve in a bowl with some more lemon zest, chopped parsley and nice shredding of Parmesan cheese on top.

LEMON ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender and aromatic. Stir in the couscous and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, until evenly coated with oil and lightly toasty in aroma. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Cover, decrease the heat to low, and simmer for 12 to 14 minutes, until tender.
• Stir the peas, mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil into the couscous, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook the couscous, stirring, over medium-low heat until the mint and lemon are aromatic, 2 to 3 minutes longer. The couscous should be tender and the mixture fluffy, not soupy. If it's too dry, add a few tablespoons more stock or water. Originally published July 14, 2009.

CINNAMON ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; stir in onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add couscous and stir until light brown.
• Add water, bouillon, cinnamon, garam masala, and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. Add cranberries, broccoli, and almonds, and allow to steam under the lid until softened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with parsley. Serve warm.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Toast 1 1/2 cups Israeli couscous in olive oil in a saucepan, stirring, 3 minutes. Add 3 cups water and bring to a boil; cook until al dente, 7 minutes, then drain. Whisk 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and 1/4 cup olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss with the couscous, chopped pistachios, shaved Parmesan and torn mint.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• Cook 2 cups Israeli couscous as the label directs; drain. Saute 1 diced onion in olive oil with a pinch of cinnamon until golden, 5 minutes. Add 1 cup golden raisins and 2 tablespoons water and cook 2 minutes; toss with the couscous and a handful each of sliced almonds and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH APPLES, CRANBERRIES AND HERBS

Steps:

• For the couscous: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly browned and aromatic, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to12 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the cooked couscous to a large bowl and set aside to cool. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, apple, dried cranberries, and almonds.
• For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until smooth. Pour the vinaigrette over the couscous and toss to coat evenly.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the Israeli couscous and cook until cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes. Strain from the water and reserve.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and bring to high heat. After a few minutes, add the almonds to toast them in the oil. When the garlic is golden and very aromatic, remove it from the pan and discard it. Add the cooked couscous and chicken stock. Season with salt and cook until the stock has reduced by half. Add the pomegranate seeds, apricots, and scallions. Stir to combine and taste to make sure it is delicious.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT AND CINNAMON-CUMIN DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place eggplant cubes on sheet; drizzle with 3 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast until tender, turning occasionally, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook couscous in boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water until cool; drain again. Place in large bowl.
• Toast cumin seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until slightly darkened, about 4 minutes. Grind seeds in spice mill; place in small bowl. Add vinegar, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons oil. Whisk to blend; season with salt and pepper. Mix in onion.
• Add raisins, cilantro, eggplant cubes, and dressing to couscous. Toss to coat.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add couscous, and cook until al dente. Drain, and drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet, and refrigerate 10 minutes.
• Combine couscous and remaining ingredients. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; cook until soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add dry couscous and saute until slightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in chicken stock and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until couscous is tender and all liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 45 minutes.
• While the couscous is cooling, mix lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and Dijon mustard together for the dressing in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Transfer cooled couscous to a serving bowl. Add cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, olives, scallions , parsley, mint, and basil. Pour dressing over top and mix to incorporate.

CITRUS-INFUSED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT

Steps:

• In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, heat olive oil. Add shallot; cook until translucent but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add couscous; stir to coat with oil. Add stock, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until couscous is soft and all liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Remove couscous from heat; stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.

ISRAELI MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; saute onion until golden. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Stir in carrots, turnips and sweet potato. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add zucchini and red bell pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in garbanzo beans, tomato sauce, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron and curry powder. Simmer until heated through.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 to 7 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve with vegetables on top.

LEMON-PISTACHIO ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• 1. Trim the stem end from the lemon and cut it into quarters. Scoop out the pulp and press it through a strainer into a medium-sized bowl to extract the juices; discard the pulp. Finely dice the preserved lemon rind and add it to the bowl along with the parsley, butter, dried fruit, pistachios, salt, and cinnamon.
• 2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the couscous and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and add it to the bowl of fruits and nuts, stirring until the butter is melted and all the ingredients are well mixed. Season with black pepper and serve.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring pot of salted water to a boil Add couscous, and cook until al dente, Drain, and drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Combine couscous and remaining ingredients. Let stand at room temperature for least 30 minutes before serving.