Israeli Couscous With Tomatoes Recipes

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup Israeli couscous (or other small pasta or grain) according to package directions; toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Meanwhile, prepare Grilled Tomatoes (see recipe). Brush 1/2 head radicchio with oil; grill over high heat, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, 5-8 minutes. Let cool; coarsely chop. Toss with tomatoes, 1/4 thinly sliced small red onion, and couscous; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with shaved ricotta salata, chopped toasted almonds, and fresh parsley and oregano leaves.

PEARL COUSCOUS WITH SAUTéED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add couscous. Toast couscous, shaking pan or stirring often, until it colors very lightly and smells aromatic and toasty, a bit like popcorn. Immediately add 2 quarts water and salt to taste (be generous, as if you are cooking pasta) and boil 10 minutes, until couscous is al dente; it should not be mushy, and there should still be plenty of water in the pot. Drain through a strainer and rinse with cold water. Tap strainer against sink to drain well, then return couscous to the pot, cover pot with a kitchen towel, and return lid. Let sit for 10 minutes while you make the sauce.
• In a wide, heavy skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add garlic. As soon as it begins to sizzle and smell fragrant, usually in about 30 seconds, add cherry tomatoes and turn heat up to medium-high. Add sugar, salt and basil sprig and cook, stirring often, until tomatoes collapse and skins shrivel. Some of the tomato pulp will be in the pan, and should thicken and caramelize slightly, but there should still be pulp inside the skins. This should only take about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and remove basil sprig. Taste and adjust seasonings. Add a little fresh pepper if desired.
• Add couscous to the pan along with slivered basil, stir together, and serve.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, EGGPLANT AND TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat foil generously with olive oil. Toss eggplant slices with salt to taste and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Line baking sheet with the slices in a single layer (you may need 2 baking sheets, or do this in batches). Place in oven and roast for 15 minutes. Eggplant will look dry on surface but should be soft when pierced with a knife. Remove from oven and, wearing oven mitts, carefully fold the foil up in half over the eggplant and crimp edges to create a sealed packet. Allow eggplant to steam inside the packet for another 15 minutes (you can cook couscous during this time). Turn oven down to 375 degrees.
• Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish with olive oil. Place cooked Israeli couscous in a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce. Spoon into baking dish in an even layer.
• Remove eggplant slices from foil packet (they should be thoroughly tender), and layer on top of couscous, overlapping slices slightly. Cover with remaining tomato sauce and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese. Drizzle on remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place in oven and bake 30 minutes, until browned and bubbling. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with torn or slivered basil leaves just before serving.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, BEAN AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine finely chopped tomatoes, garlic, salt, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Add beans and Israeli couscous and toss together. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes (or longer).
• Meanwhile, place chopped onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Soak 5 minutes, drain and rinse. Drain on paper towels and add to couscous and bean mixture. Add basil, chives, and pepper, and toss together.
• Line plates or a platter with lettuce leaves. Top with salad. Sprinkle feta over the top and serve.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH CHUNKY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• In small saucepan heat 1 1/2 cups broth until simmering. Stir in couscous and saffron.
• Remove from heat, cover and let sit until all the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer couscous to baking dish and stir in pine nuts and scallions. Cover with aluminum foil to keep warm and set aside. (Note: to toast pine nuts, preheat oven to 350°F and cook for about 5 minutes.).
• Heat remaining 1/4 cup broth in medium saucepan over medium heat and cook onion and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Roughly chop tomatoes and add to saucepan with their juice.
• Add basil, thyme and red pepper flakes.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Season sauce with salt and pepper and pour over couscous. Serve immediately.