Israeli Couscous With Cranberries Walnuts And Sunflower Seeds Recipes

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.

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!

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.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND CRANBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over a medium heta in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
• Add the Israeli couscous and stir about 1 minute or until the couscous is lightly browned.
• Stir in 2 cups of stock, cover with lid, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the couscous has absorbed most of the liquid and is al dente.
• Drain in a colander, but do not rinse. Leave to cool.
• Once cool stir in the remaining3 tbsps olive oil to coast and separate the grains.
• Combine the couscous with the cranberries, pine nuts, spring onions, red onion, cilantro, lemon zest and shallots.
• Spritz with lemon juice and adjust with salt to taste.