Israeli Couscous With Pancetta Spinach Raisins And Lemon Recipes

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.

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.

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH VEGETABLES AND LEMON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat large saute pan on grates of the grill over medium heat. Add couscous and toast until lightly golden brown.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat, add 1 tablespoon salt and toasted couscous and cook until al dente. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Add grilled vegetables, olives, basil, and vinaigrette and toss until combined; season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving or cover and refrigerate.
• Whisk shallot, juice, zest, vinegars, and salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PANCETTA, SPINACH, RAISINS, AND LEMON

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cover the raisins with hot water and set aside to soften. In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, cook the pancetta, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 14 minutes, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the skillet, add the oil, return the skillet to medium-low heat, and heat until the oil shimmers. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden and crisp, about 5 minutes, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the red pepper flakes and thyme to the skillet and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 40 seconds. Off the heat, whisk in the lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the couscous, return to a boil, adjust heat to medium, and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain couscous, transfer it to a very large bowl, add the thyme-lemon dressing, and toss to coat. Drain the raisins and add them and the reserved pancetta, and toss. Add about half the spinach and toss (the spinach will wilt), then repeat with the remaining spinach. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary, sprinkle with the garlic, and serve at once.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan and add the couscous. Stir until the couscous begins to color and smell toasty, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes, or until the couscous is tender. Drain if any liquid remains in the pan.
• Transfer the couscous to a bowl and add the cilantro, chives, feta, pine nuts, chickpeas and red pepper.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together the lemon juice, salt, cumin, remaining olive oil, yogurt and Aleppo pepper or chili powder. Toss with the couscous mixture. Refrigerate in a bowl or in containers until ready to take to work or eat.

LEMON SPINACH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil.
• Add couscous, butter and salt.
• Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• In a shallow pan, heat oil.
• Add spinach, lemon juice, pine nuts, and orange peel.
• Cook until spinach wilts slightly and changes color (about 1 minute).
• Remove from heat.
• Mix spinach mixture with couscous.
• Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PARSLEY AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• In a medium pot of boiling salted water, cook couscous until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, and transfer to a bowl.
• Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add shallots; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add to bowl with couscous. Add parsley and lemon juice, and toss. Season with salt and pepper.

LEMONY ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add Israeli couscous. Toast couscous until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly pour in boiling water. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until couscous is tender and water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add shallot and cook until starting to soften, about 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high. Add asparagus and a pinch of salt; saute until asparagus is tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir lemon zest into the asparagus in the last few minutes of cooking. Add cooked couscous and toss with the asparagus mixture. Stir in lemon juice. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.

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.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PANCETTA, SPINACH, RAISINS, AND LEMON

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cover the raisins with hot water and set aside to soften. In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, cook the pancetta, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 14 minutes, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the skillet, add the oil, return the skillet to medium-low heat, and heat until the oil shimmers. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden and crisp, about 5 minutes, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the red pepper flakes and thyme to the skillet and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 40 seconds. Off the heat, whisk in the lemon juice, ¾ teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the couscous, return to a boil, adjust heat to medium, and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain couscous, transfer it to a very large bowl, add the thyme-lemon dressing, and toss to coat. Drain the raisins and add them and the reserved pancetta, and toss. Add about half the spinach and toss (the spinach will wilt), then repeat with the remaining spinach. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary, sprinkle with the garlic, and serve at once.