Best Israeli Couscous With Cranberries And Pecans A La Whole Foods Recipes

CRANBERRY ORANGE ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place the chopped pecans (or walnuts) in a dry skillet on medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until you can begin to smell them. Keep an eye on the nuts while they toast, so you don't burn them! This step usually only takes 3-4 minutes (to save time, toast pecans while couscous is cooking). Remove the pecans from the skillet, set aside and let them cool.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add couscous, and let it cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once finished cooking, pour couscous into a colander; let it drain. Place couscous into a large bowl. Add the green onions and cranberries.
• Mix together the ingredients for the orange herb vinaigrette in a small container. I used a measuring cup, and simply blended the vinaigrette with a fork, until fully combined. Once combined, pour dressing over warm couscous, green onions and cranberries. Add the dressing while the couscous is still warm, because it will absorb more of the dressing. Stir, to blend the salad.
• Add the chopped pecans or walnuts, and stir to combine. Once all ingredients for couscous are blended, cover the salad, and let it chill in the refrigerator. This salad is at it's very best, flavor-wise, after it has time to chill, and the flavors have developed. When ready to serve, give it a quick stir (to "fluff it up"), then enjoy this amazing tasting side dish or salad!

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Put the couscous in a small pot and add 1 1/2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil, then cover and remove from the heat. Let steep for at least 10 minutes, or up to 20.
• Put the slightly cooled couscous in a large salad bowl along with the carrots, pecans, cranberries, scallions, oil and lemon zest and juice, and sprinkle with the spices and salt and pepper. Use 2 big forks to combine, fluffing the couscous and tossing gently to separate the grains. (The salad can be made up to this point and refrigerated for up to a day; bring to room temperature before proceeding.)
• Stir in the parsley and sage. Taste and adjust the seasoning, moisten with a little more oil and lemon juice as you like, and serve.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH CELERY, SCALLIONS AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Fill a medium saucepan with water. Add the bay leaves, smashed garlic and zest. Salt the water generously and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. When boiling, add the couscous. Cook until cooked through, 7 to 8 minutes, and then drain. Discard the bay leaves, garlic and zest.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss together the chopped garlic, cranberries, vinegar, scallion whites and celery. Season with salt and let sit for 20 minutes to soften.
• Stir in the couscous, parsley and scallion greens. Drizzle with oil. Taste and re-season. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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 PECANS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat.
• Add pecans and stir until golden brown. Transfer to small bowl.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same pan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until couscous browns slightly.
• Add broth and salt and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender.
• Remove from heat and stir in parsley, pecans and lemon zest.
• Season with black pepper to taste.

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.

CURRIED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Film a pan with a bit of oil and bring to medium heat. Toast couscous for ~3-5 minutes, stirring, until couscous is golden. (Optional step but adds a lot of flavor). Add water and bring to a boil. Cover and turn to low so mixture bubbles gently. Cook until liquid is absorbed and couscous is al dente, 8-10 minutes.
• Make the dressing: combine the oil, vinegar, orange juice, herbs and spices in a jar and shake to combine.
• Mix everything but the green onions together, stir and adjust seasonings. Top with green onions & feta.

CRAN-ORANGE COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare couscous according to package directions. Fluff with a fork; cool. In a bowl, combine couscous and the next 9 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients until blended. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Garnish with additional chopped basil and reserved fennel fronds.