Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Israeli Couscous Salad

Even though you are not a vegetarian, and for sure not a vegan, have you wondered lately that what you are consciously cooking might be...could be vegetarian, or vegan?...well it happens to me a lot, without even thinking or planning it, do to the fact that I always have fresh veggies on hand and like to use them up with whatever I happen to think of making. Same goes for the dry beans, and for the canned beans, rice, lentils, and couscous that I like to prepare to have around as a snack, or a side dish!

Israeli couscous is made of small, round pearls of pasta. Similar to regular couscous, it resembles a grain but is made of wheat flour. Because of its large surface area, it holds sauce well and is very versatile; Israeli Couscous can go in soup, be baked, served as a pie, or made into a risotto. It is widely used in the Middle East, and in Portugal, Spain, and Italy. So delicious with cooked vegetables or used as a side dish with stews. It has a nutty flavor, and it does not get a sticky texture when it is cooked properly. I love to eat this as a cold salad, but you can eat it warm as well!


Israeli Couscous Salad
my own recipe
2 cups of Israeli couscous
boiled, until fully cooked, drained in a colander,
and rinsed with cold water.
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chickpeas (cooked from dry) or 1 can drained chickpeas
or garbanzo beans (same)
1 bunch scallions, sliced thin
about 12 cherry, or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
or about 4 small tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 small bunch of flat leaf parsley (you can use basil, as well)
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 tsp of rice vinegar, or other mild vinegar

In a large bowl, mix together the olive oil, salt, and pepper, and fold in all the other ingredients. You can serve them at room temperature, and refrigerate any leftovers. It is very delicious. Low in calories, high in protein and no cholesterol...now isn't that a relief?...something this yummy and healthy, would be actually good for you!



Enhanced by Zemanta

32 comments:

Dzoli said...

I am beating myself up to remember the name of this pasta.I am not ven sure it is the same type I have in mind looks more like rice;))Anyhow never saw this pearls but they definitiely look like they will love to be in this salad:)

Kim - Liv Life said...

One of my favorite pastas! I use it frequently for salads just like you did. We'll be adding this to our rotation, perfect alongside a piece of fish or chicken! Or... just leftover for lunch!

Swathi said...

Delicious, love the vibrant color in there.

Biren @ Roti n Rice said...

That's a lovely salad...colorful, healthy, and delicious! I have not come across Israeli couscous but I am sure I can use the regular or rice couscous.

Petra said...

A kuszkusszal még soha nem próbálkoztam, de ez a saláta nagyon finom lehet. :)))

easyfoodsmith said...

Lovely salad- Beautiful, healthy, delicious!

The Mistress of Spices said...

Hi Elisabeth, this sounds delicious and looks absolutely gorgeous! I love Israeli couscous and I love all the fresh, healthy, colorful ingredients that you put in your salad. I'll definitely try this as soon as my friend brings me a box of Israeli couscous from Trader Joe's (it's hard to find here in France!)...

Emma said...

I've wanted to try Israeli couscous for the longest time but haven't been able to get a hold of it here. What a lovely, fresh looking, colourful salad!

Priya said...

Hearty healthy salad, looks refreshing and beautiful..

ping said...

Time to check out those middle eastern grocers! What a pretty picture! I think I'd prefer this larger couscous to the finer grained ones ... I've always felt like I was eating sand ;P

Becky said...

Elisabeth,
Your salad is gorgeous and and healthy besides. I've never used this tpe of cous cous before. I just discovered Quinoa, so now I'll be going back to Trader Joe's for Israeli cous cous. I just love blogging:)

Vicki Bensinger said...

I love Israeli Couscous. I like that it's size is so much larger than regular couscous. Your recipe sounds nice and light with just a splash of rice vinegar. Nice!

Pacheco Patty said...

Beautiful salad Elizabeth, will try this recipe soon;-)

Citromhab said...

Gyönyörű!!!

Bianka said...

Milyen gyönyörű színei vannak

wendyweekendgourmet said...

Isn't this gorgeous...so bright and cheerful, just like you! I cooked with Israelis couscous a few months back for the first time. I really like it...and your recipe!

Kati said...

Nem tudom miért írta ki kétszer a kommentemet, kitörültem mert rosszul írtam valamit, bocsi. Csodás színei vannak ennek a salátának, még sosem ettem izraeli ételt, de szívesen megkóstólnám.

Kathy said...

Elizabeth, I have never tried Israeli couscous...This salad looks scrumptious! I am looking forward to trying it!

marisz57 said...

Remekül néz ki, biztos nagyon finom ez a saláta!
A cicád nagyon mosakodott, ez vendéget jelent.

claudia @whats cookin said...

What a gorgeous salad!

Gina said...

Elisabeth,
These shots came out so good. I eat veggie when i can, I actually prefer it, but the other members always outvote me around here, lol. I love the larger couscous, but have a hard time finding it at my market. Hope you are having a great week.
-Gina-

Lizzy said...

Isaeli couscous is a favorite of mine!! I remember having to mail order it the first time I wanted to use it...so happy it's a little easier to find. I always have a stash in my pantry. Your salad looks amazing...so beautiful with the green and reds. Hope you've had a good week, my friend!!! xoxo

PS...I received my chocolate loot from Lora's giveaway. Wow, what a fabulous array of goodies :)

Chic & Gorgeous Treats said...

Elisabeth, the photos make me wanna just spoon into your bowl of couscous salad. I really love the combination. It's really light. Delish!! Hugs, Jo

SKIP TO MALOU said...

Couscous... i love how the name rolls in my tongue... I still remember the first time I tried it I felt like i have added a new repertoire in my grains.. and indeed I had.
Now I haven't tried it in a salad yet... this of course looks stunning and of course when you speak of salad, I feel like it's healthy and Im doing something good for my body. Gotta have this one soon!

honey82 said...

Che ricetta deliziosaaa!!!
Fresca e leggera,brava Cara!!!!:-)
Tanti baci e thank you so much for your nice comment in my blog..:-))
Hug and kisses*
Daiana

marisz57 said...

Légyszíves, látogass el hozzám, egy díj vár téged!

laurie said...

this is delightful,, light yet full flavor,, I think I will try this,,I love couscous with olive oil, lemon, mint and chickpeas so I know I would love this,,thankyou so much for visiting today and your kind words,, it means so much to me,

mia xara said...

Beautiful salad,Elisabeth! Your photos make it look even more appetizing, even for my mainly carnivore males..lol..XO

Junia said...

love fresh grain salads! i haven't had israeli couscous before, but it looks delicious!

Kalyan said...

Just mouthwatering...looks so easy to prepare and delicious!

Lyndsey said...

Yum! I am glad I didn't miss this one (I almost did, I'm so far behind).

Well that is what happens to me...I often make vegetarian or vegan dishes without the intention of doing so. (Many times I miss tagging it as such)They are always good and satisfying, like this salad would be. Plus my husband doesn't' mind eating this way too!

Beautiful photos too Elisabeth!

Sook said...

So fresh and colorful! I love couscous.