Best Balsamic Couscous Recipes

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.

COUSCOUS AND CHICKEN SALAD WITH ORANGE-BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring 4 1/2 cups water to boil in large saucepan. Add couscous and currants. Cover, remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Transfer to large bowl and cool.
• Mix all remaining salad ingredients into cooled couscous.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.) Line large bowl with romaine. Add salad.

WHOLE WHEAT ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH RATATOUILLE, MOZZARELLA AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar with some salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. Place the eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini in a large shallow baking dish, add half the vinaigrette, cover and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 tablespoons kosher salt and the couscous and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well and rinse quickly with cool water, drain again and transfer to a bowl.
• Remove the vegetables from the marinade, season with salt and pepper and grill until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the vegetables to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Add the grilled vegetables, tomatoes, basil and oregano to the couscous. Add the remaining vinaigrette, season with salt and pepper and toss. Top with the mozzarella and parsley leaves.

GRILLED VEGETABLES IN BALSAMIC TOMATO SAUCE WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Remove the seeds from the pepper, and chop into strips about 1 to 2 inches long. Cut the eggplant crossways into rounds about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick, and cut each one into 6 to 8 even chunks. Peel the onion, and chop into 8 portions. Trim the zucchini, and cut into thick slices.
• Heat grill pan over a high heat with a generous splash of olive oil. When it is very hot, add all the vegetables to the pan. Press down occasionally to get grill lines across them. Turn occasionally to prevent burning. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are evenly browned and cooked through.
• Stir broad beans into the vegetables. Add chopped tomatoes, and vinegar. Simmer for a few minutes while the couscous is prepared.
• Place couscous into a medium bowl. Add boiling vegetable stock, and stir with a fork. Keep lifting the couscous occasionally to prevent it sticking. It only takes 2 to 3 minutes to become soft. Place couscous in a large bowl or serving platter, and serve the vegetables on top.

TOMATO BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH SPINACH AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Wash spinach leaves a few minutes ahead of time and allow to dry in a salad-spinner or colander.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove the chicken and set aside. To the same pan, add the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Lower the heat to medium and add the balsamic vinegar and chicken broth to the pan and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Add the tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place the couscous in a serving bowl. Top with the spinach, chicken and balsamic-tomato sauce.
• *A few pointers:.
• I use either thin-sliced chicken or pound the chicken so it's about a 1/2 inch thick. It cooks much more evenly that way. This recipe is also tasty with a dash or two of dried basil and rosemary and a few turns of fresh ground black pepper added to the vinegar/tomato mixture. The prep time of this recipe includes washing the spinach, cooking the couscous and pounding the chicken.

BALSAMIC TOMATO COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium pan, bring the broth to a boil.
• When it is boiling add the basil and garlic and stir. Then add the couscous, cover the pan, and remove it from the heat. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
• Chop the tomatoes.
• In a small bowl mix the balsamic vinegar, the oil, and the pepper. Add the tomatoes.
• When the couscous is ready add the tomato mixture and mix well.
• Serve hot or cold.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH GARLIC COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place chicken in a shallow dish and pour over the combined vinegar, chicken stock, sugar and garlic.
• Let marinate at least 10 minutes per side.
• To make couscous: pour boiling stock over couscous in a large bowl.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to stand for 5 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
• Heat butter or margarine over medium-low heat and saute garlic and thyme for about 3 minutes (garlic should be soft but not brown).
• Add the couscous to the pan and stir for 3 minutes.
• To cook the chicken, preheat an oiled frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Cook chicken about 4 minutes per side.
• Add the marinade to the pan and cook for an additional 1 minute per side or until the chicken is cooked through and the marinade has thickened.
• Place couscous and top with chicken and sauce.

MAPLE-AND-BALSAMIC-GLAZED LAMB CHOPS WITH MINT, TOASTED ALMONDS AND FETA COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For the lamb: Put a large frying pan on medium heat with a good glug of oil. Run your fingers down the thyme sprigs to release their leaves and sprinkle them all over a large plate. Add a little salt and pepper and then squish the lamb chops or cutlets into the mix, turning them over to coat both sides. (This will give a lovely crust when cooked.) Fry them in the pan until they are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook, depending on how you like them done, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer them to a plate to rest for a few minutes, covered with foil (this will make them much more tender and juicy).
• Meanwhile, trim and slice the spring onions. Add the spring onions and salmonds to the frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring every now and then, until the onions are wilted and the almonds golden, 1 to 2 minutes.
• For the couscous: Meanwhile, put some water on to boil.
• Pour the couscous into a medium bowl and just cover with the boiled water. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for about 5 minutes.
• For the glaze: Combine the maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and butter in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer, leaving it to bubble away for about 3 minutes, stirring from time to time. Once thickened and syrupy, remove from the heat and keep warm.
• Check that the couscous grains have absorbed all the water and are tender, then fluff it up with a fork. Crumble the feta cheese in, season with salt and pepper and add a good drizzle of oil. Stir together and re-cover to keep warm.
• Divide the couscous among four serving plates. Sit the rested lamb chops on top and drizzle the glaze (and any resting juices) over. Scatter over the spring onion and almond mix. Rip up the mint leaves and scatter them over the top. If using, top with the pomegranate seeds and serve.

SPICED BALSAMIC DUCK WITH PLUMS AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Spiced Balsamic Vinegar:
• Combine vinegar, sugar, garlic, chilli and star anise in a small saucepan stir over low heat for 4 minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 5 minutes or until reduced by one-third and slightly thickened. Remove the flavourings and discard. Set aside.
• Duck:
• Season the duck breasts well with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat and place the duck breasts in skin-side down. Cook 6 minutes until crispy, then turn over and cook a further 4 or until done to your liking. It's normal to serve duck breast cooked medium to rare. Rest for 5 minutes before serving
• While the duck is resting, pour the boiling stock over the couscous and set aside covered for 5 minutes. Stir the butter through with a fork fluffing up well.
• Place the plums in the reduction and reheat gently.
• Slice duck breasts and serve them and the plums over couscous.

COUSCOUS WITH ARUGULA AND BALSAMIC TOMATOES

Steps:

• For the couscous:
• In a heavy sauce pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and lightly saute onions until opaque. Add garlic and saute to aroma. Add the chicken stock, salt, white pepper and dried apricot and bring to a full boil. Place the couscous in a 4 quart pan and pour the chicken stock mixture over and mix thoroughly. Cover tightly and wrap - allow to stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and fold in olives and pine nuts, chives and feta cheese. Meanwhile, fine dice the seedless flesh of the Roma tomato, toss in the 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and white pepper and garnish with arugula.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH BROCCOLI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°. Stir in vinegar, honey and Italian seasoning; heat through., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring broth, garlic powder and pepper to a boil. Stir in broccoli and couscous. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5-10 minutes or until broth is absorbed. Stir in cheese. Serve chicken with couscous.

BALSAMIC COUSCOUS SALAD WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• 1. In medium saucepan, combine broth, 2 cups water and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Stir in couscous remove from heat. Cover let stand 5 minutes.2. Line 1 large or 2 small cookie sheets with waxed paper. To cool couscous mixture quickly, fluff with fork spread on lined cookie sheet. Let stand 5 minutes.3. In large bowl, combine cooled couscous mixture, onions, basil, olives, balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons water toss gently to mix well. Add oil toss gently. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.Nutrition Information Per Serving: Serving Size: 1/2 Cup * Calories: 100 * Calories from Fat: 20 * % Daily Value: Total Fat: 2 g 3% * Saturated Fat: 0 g 0% * Cholesterol: 0 mg 0% * Sodium: 170 mg 7% * Total Carbohydrate: 17 g 6% * Dietary Fiber: 1 g 4% * Sugars: 1 g * Protein: 3 g * Vitamin A: 0% * Vitamin C: 2% * Calcium: 0% * Iron: 2% * Dietary Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1/2 Fat or 1 Carbohydrate, 1/2 Fat

BALSAMIC-AGAVE TOFU WITH BEET INFUSED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Using your circular ring mold, carefully cut out circles in the four pieces of pressed tofu. Set aside. In a large pyrex dish, combine all of the ingredients for the marinade. Place the tofu into the marinade, flipping over once to ensure its well coated. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, flipping again halfway through the marinade time.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Boil 1 1/4 cups water in a small saucepan. Place the cubed beets in the boiling water for about 5 minutes. Transfer the beets with a slotted spoon to a well-greased baking pan, adding 2 TB of the oil to coat. Bake for 25 minutes. Add the diced red onion to the beet mixture with the remaining 1 TB oil and place back into the oven for 25 minutes more, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
• Once you've added the red onion to the beets, make your couscous by placing the couscous into the beet infused water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover. Simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes.
• Once your beets and couscous are done, remove the tofu from the refrigerator and saute over medium high heat in a large skillet until well-browned, about 5-7 minutes on each side. Remove from the heat and add the asparagus to the pan. Saute until bright green, about 6 minutes.
• Place the remainder of the marinade into a small saucepan over medium high heat until it slightly thickens and reduces. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly while you plate.
• To assemble the tower, place a ring mold onto a plate and add a slice of the tofu. Spoon some of the beet mixture over than, lightly but firmly packing it into place. Add another slice of tofu and then add a layer of the couscous on that, packing it lightly but firmly. Top with another slice of tofu and carefully remove the ring.
• Serve with the sauteed asparagus and spoon some of the reduced balsamic marinade over the top.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH BROCCOLI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°. Stir in vinegar, honey and Italian seasoning; heat through., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring broth, garlic powder and pepper to a boil. Stir in broccoli and couscous. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5-10 minutes or until broth is absorbed. Stir in cheese. Serve chicken with couscous.

WHOLE WHEAT ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH RATATOUILLE, MOZZARELLA AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar with some salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. Place the eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini in a large shallow baking dish, add half the vinaigrette, cover and let marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 tablespoons kosher salt and the couscous and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain well and rinse quickly with cool water, drain again and transfer to a bowl.
• Remove the vegetables from the marinade, season with salt and pepper and grill until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the vegetables to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Add the grilled vegetables, tomatoes, basil and oregano to the couscous. Add the remaining vinaigrette, season with salt and pepper and toss. Top with the mozzarella and parsley leaves.

BALSAMIC COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over low heat. Saute onion and garlic slowly until tender, approximately 15 minutes.
• Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Add couscous, cover pan, remove from heat, and let stand for 5 - 10 minutes.
• Pour couscous into a bowl and top with vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir until combined. You may wish to add less or more vinegar depending on what you like. 3T works for us.