Israeli Couscous With Pancetta Spinach Raisins And Lemon Food

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• Cook 2 cups Israeli couscous as the label directs; drain. Saute 1 diced onion in olive oil with a pinch of cinnamon until golden, 5 minutes. Add 1 cup golden raisins and 2 tablespoons water and cook 2 minutes; toss with the couscous and a handful each of sliced almonds and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the Israeli couscous and cook until cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes. Strain from the water and reserve.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and bring to high heat. After a few minutes, add the almonds to toast them in the oil. When the garlic is golden and very aromatic, remove it from the pan and discard it. Add the cooked couscous and chicken stock. Season with salt and cook until the stock has reduced by half. Add the pomegranate seeds, apricots, and scallions. Stir to combine and taste to make sure it is delicious.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.

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.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add couscous, and cook until al dente. Drain, and drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet, and refrigerate 10 minutes.
• Combine couscous and remaining ingredients. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.

LEMON SPINACH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil.
• Add couscous, butter and salt.
• Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• In a shallow pan, heat oil.
• Add spinach, lemon juice, pine nuts, and orange peel.
• Cook until spinach wilts slightly and changes color (about 1 minute).
• Remove from heat.
• Mix spinach mixture with couscous.
• Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PANCETTA, SPINACH, RAISINS, AND LEMON

Steps:

• In a small bowl, cover the raisins with hot water and set aside to soften. In a medium skillet over medium-low heat, cook the pancetta, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 14 minutes, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the skillet, add the oil, return the skillet to medium-low heat, and heat until the oil shimmers. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until light golden and crisp, about 5 minutes, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Add the red pepper flakes and thyme to the skillet and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 40 seconds. Off the heat, whisk in the lemon juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the couscous, return to a boil, adjust heat to medium, and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain couscous, transfer it to a very large bowl, add the thyme-lemon dressing, and toss to coat. Drain the raisins and add them and the reserved pancetta, and toss. Add about half the spinach and toss (the spinach will wilt), then repeat with the remaining spinach. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary, sprinkle with the garlic, and serve at once.

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.