Israeli Simmered Vegetables Over Spiced Couscous Food

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.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND SPICY HERB FRITTATA

Steps:

• To make the zhoug, place all of the ingredients except the olive oil and water in a mini-food processor or small food processor and pulse several times. Add the olive oil and water and pulse until you have a coarse paste. It should not be a purée.
• To reconstitute the couscous, place in a medium size microwave-safe bowl and add salt to taste. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil and pour over the couscous. Let sit for 30 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Drain off excess water and place a plate over the bowl. Place in the microwave and microwave for 3 minutes. Carefully remove from the microwave - the bowl will be hot. Carefully remove the plate, taking care to avoid steam. Stir in 1/3 cup of the spicy herb paste. Taste, adjust salt and set aside.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in salt to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon), the yogurt, and the couscous.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy 10-inch nonstick skillet. Hold your hand above it; it should feel hot. Drop a bit of egg into the pan and if it sizzles and cooks at once, the pan is ready. Pour in the egg mixture. Swirl the pan to distribute the eggs and filling evenly over the surface. Shake the pan gently, tilting it slightly with one hand while lifting up the edges of the frittata with the spatula in your other hand, to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking. Once a few layers of egg have cooked during the first couple of minutes of cooking, turn the heat down to low, cover 10 minutes, shaking the pan gently every once in a while. From time to time remove the lid and loosen the bottom of the omelet with a wooden spatula, tilting the pan, so that the bottom doesn't burn. It will however turn golden. The eggs should be just about set.
• Meanwhile, heat the broiler. Uncover the pan and place under the broiler, not too close to the heat, for 1 to 3 minutes, watching very carefully to make sure the top doesn't burn (at most, it should brown very slightly and puff under the broiler). Remove from the heat, shake the pan to make sure the frittata isn't sticking and allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes and for up to 15. Loosen the edges with a wooden or plastic spatula. Carefully slide from the pan onto a large round platter. Cut into wedges or into smaller bite-size diamonds. Serve hot, warm, at room temperature, or cold.

BROILED VEGETABLES WITH TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Whisk together balsamic vinegar, garlic, 2 tablespoons oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat broiler. Toss zucchini, yellow squash, and bell peppers with half of dressing in a large bowl, then marinate 5 minutes.
• Broil half of dressed vegetables on oiled rack of a broiler pan 5 to 7 inches from heat, turning over once, until golden brown and tender, about 16 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board, then broil remaining dressed vegetables in same manner. When cool, cut into 1-inch pieces.
• While vegetables are broiling, sauté onion in remaining tablespoon oil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, then add couscous and sauté, stirring, 2 minutes. Add broth and simmer, covered, until couscous is just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in broiled vegetables, basil, remaining dressing, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve 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.

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.

SHRIMP AND SCALLOP STEW

Steps:

• Slice leeks in half lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch dice.
• In a stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic; saute, stirring, until translucent, about 7 minutes. Add jalapeno, carrots, spices, and salt; lower heat to medium low, and cook until carrots are almost tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, wine, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, and lower heat to medium; cook 5 minutes.
• Stir in shrimp and scallops; cook until just opaque, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat, add cilantro, and serve over couscous pilaf.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS, AND SUGAR SNAPS

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, and lemon peel in small bowl; set dressing aside. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add couscous, sprinkle with salt, and sauté until most of couscous is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1 3/4 cups broth, increase heat, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 10 minutes, adding more broth by tablespoonfuls if too dry.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add asparagus, sugar snap peas, green peas, and remaining garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer vegetables to large bowl.
• Add couscous to bowl with vegetables. Drizzle dressing over. Add chives and cheese; toss. Season with salt and pepper.
• Test-kitchen tip:
• To trim asparagus, hold onto the top of the stalk with one hand and bend the bottom of the stalk with your other hand. The stalk will snap, separating the woody end from the tender top.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Season zucchini, squash, eggplant, onion, and red pepper with salt and pepper. Lightly brush vegetables with oil.
• Place zucchini and squash on grill pan and cook, turning once, 3 minutes per side; transfer to a plate. Place eggplant on grill pan and cook, turning once, until nicely caramelized and tender, about 4 minutes per side; transfer to plate with zucchini and squash. Place onion on grill pan and cook, turning once, 4 minutes per side; transfer to plate with zucchini, squash, and eggplant.
• Place red pepper on grill and cook until all sides are charred, about 10 minutes. Place the pepper in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let steam 10 to 15 minutes. Remove pepper from bowl and peel using a paring knife. Cut pepper in half, remove stem and discard seeds; transfer pepper to plate with zucchini, squash, eggplant, and onion.
• Cut all vegetables into bite-size pieces; set aside.
• Bring a large pot filled with water to a boil over high heat. Add salt and return to a boil. Add couscous and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and place couscous in a large serving bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add grilled vegetables, tomatoes, parsley, and basil; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, garlic, and sumac powder. Slowly whisk in remaining 1/4 cup oil; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over couscous salad and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper.

CURRIED ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bouillon cubes, curry powder, and oregano. Cook, breaking up bouillon cubes, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add couscous and mix thoroughly.
• Add water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring frequently, until couscous is soft, 8 to 10 minutes.

ISRAELI MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; saute onion until golden. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Stir in carrots, turnips and sweet potato. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add zucchini and red bell pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in garbanzo beans, tomato sauce, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron and curry powder. Simmer until heated through.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 to 7 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve with vegetables on top.