Israeli Couscous Eggplant And Tomato Gratin Food

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.

STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise, wrap each half in a sheet of Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil and arrange them on a baking sheet. Roast the eggplants until the centers are soft and tender, about 30 minutes. Unwrap the eggplants and scoop out the center pulp, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges of each eggplant. Roughly chop the reserved pulp and set it aside.
• Add the olive oil to a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute, then add the couscous, allspice, bay leaves and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional 2 minutes.
• Add the chicken broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the mixture to a simmer, cover the saucepan, and cook the couscous until it is tender and the liquid has absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Stir in the reserved eggplant, parsley and feta cheese, then divide the couscous mixture evenly among the eggplants.
• Arrange the stuffed eggplants on a foil-lined baking sheet and return them to the oven, uncovered, and bake until they are warmed throughout, about 5 minutes. Remove the eggplants from the oven, top them with pomegranate seeds and serve immediately.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH CHUNKY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• In small saucepan heat 1 1/2 cups broth until simmering. Stir in couscous and saffron.
• Remove from heat, cover and let sit until all the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer couscous to baking dish and stir in pine nuts and scallions. Cover with aluminum foil to keep warm and set aside. (Note: to toast pine nuts, preheat oven to 350°F and cook for about 5 minutes.).
• Heat remaining 1/4 cup broth in medium saucepan over medium heat and cook onion and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Roughly chop tomatoes and add to saucepan with their juice.
• Add basil, thyme and red pepper flakes.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Season sauce with salt and pepper and pour over couscous. Serve immediately.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Halve cherry tomatoes.
• In a large bowl combine the tomato, mozzarella, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic, toss well then refrigerate, covered, to marinate for 30 minutes
• Cook couscous according to directions.
• Rinse Couscous with cold water until cool.
• Toss Couscous and Basil with tomato and mozzarella mixture.
• Garnish with whole basil leaves serve.

EGGPLANT SALAD WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine couscous, 1 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, stir once, and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until couscous is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium-high. Add eggplant and shallots and stir to coat; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring frequently, until shallots are caramelized and eggplant is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
• In a serving bowl, combine eggplant mixture and couscous. Stir in vinegar and basil and season salad with salt and pepper.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT AND CINNAMON-CUMIN DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place eggplant cubes on sheet; drizzle with 3 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast until tender, turning occasionally, about 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook couscous in boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water until cool; drain again. Place in large bowl.
• Toast cumin seeds in small skillet over medium-high heat until slightly darkened, about 4 minutes. Grind seeds in spice mill; place in small bowl. Add vinegar, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons oil. Whisk to blend; season with salt and pepper. Mix in onion.
• Add raisins, cilantro, eggplant cubes, and dressing to couscous. Toss to coat.