Israeli Simmered Vegetables Over Spiced Couscous Recipes

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 WITH MIXED SUMMER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and score down the middle, down to but not through the skin. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment, brush with olive oil and place the eggplant on it, cut side down. Roast 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is beginning to wrinkle. Remove from the heat and allow the eggplant to cool until you can handle it, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in the garlic, the spices and salt to taste. Stir together for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fragrant, and add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in all of the vegetables, the tomato paste, and 2 to 2 1/2 quarts water, enough to cover the vegetables by a good inch. Add salt to taste, the bouquet garni and the chickpeas, bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the broth is fragrant. Taste and adjust seasonings. If serving the next day, remove from the heat and allow to cool, then refrigerate overnight. Bring back to a simmer about 30 minutes before serving.
• Gradually add the Israeli couscous to the simmering stew, stirring all the while. Stir for a minute or two to make sure the couscous doesn't clump together. Simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the couscous is tender. Add freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust salt. Stir in the herbs shortly before serving.

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard and garlic, slowly add the olive oil and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/2 the marinade over the vegetables and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat the grill. Remove the vegetables from the marinade and grill the vegetables until just cooked through. Cut the zucchini and peppers into 1/2-inch pieces, cut the tomatoes in half. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, add the couscous and toast until lightly golden brown. Cover the couscous with the hot stock plus hot water and bring to a boil, cook until al dente and drain well. Place in a large serving bowl, add the grilled vegetables and herbs and toss with the remaining vinaigrette. Serve at room temperature.

ONE-POT ISRAELI COUSCOUS SHRIMP-AND-VEGGIE BOWLS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a 10- to 12-cup Dutch oven or large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat. Add the onion, zucchini, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sauté until the onion and zucchini soften and the zucchini is just beginning to turn golden brown in spots, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the garlic and couscous. Cook, stirring, until the couscous is toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan, until the wine evaporates, about 1 minute. Stir in the broth and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil.
• While the broth comes to a boil, sprinkle the shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and toss. Lay the seasoned shrimp over the top of the couscous, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the couscous absorbs most of the liquid and is tender and the shrimp is cooked through and bright pink, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium. Simmer until any remaining liquid evaporates, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Whisk together the lemon zest and juice, orange juice, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir the vinaigrette into the couscous until combined. Stir in the tomatoes and herbs. Divide among 4 serving bowls and garnish with Parmesan.

ISRAELI SIMMERED VEGETABLES OVER SPICED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Put cabbage wedges in a large soup pot.
• Put carrots, zucchini, onions, potatoes and chickpeas on top.
• Pour broth on top, and add garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
• When vegetables are almost ready, bring water to boil in a small saucepan.
• Stir in couscous, cinnamon and cumin.
• Cover and remove from heat.
• Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork.
• Place a mound of couscous in the centre of each soup bowl.
• Arrange vegetables and chickpeas around couscous.
• Spoon broth on top.
• Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.