Toasted Israeli Couscous With Dried Apricots Food

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PISTACHIOS AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Preheat a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium-low heat.
• Place the garlic and oil in the pan and saute for 1 minute.
• Add the couscous, raise the heat to medium, and stir constantly for 4 minutes; the couscous should start to toast-- add the cinnamon stick, cumin, cardamom, pepper, and salt to toast a bit-KEEP stirring for another one to two minutes.
• Add broth and lime zest.
• Raise the heat and bring to a boil.
• Once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat again to as low as possible and cover.
• In about 10 minutes, most of broth should have been absorbed.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the mint, and the apricots, pistachios, and lime juice.
• Stir, cover again, and cook for 5 more minutes.
• At this point, the broth should be thoroughly absorbed.
• Remove the cinnamon stick, fluff the couscous with a fork, garnish with the remaining mint, and serve.

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.

COUSCOUS WITH DRIED APRICOTS, CURRANTS, AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• In each of two 3-quart saucepans bring half of water, oil, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and apricots to a boil. Stir 1 box couscous into each pan and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to 2 shallow baking pans to cool as quickly as possible. Cool couscous completely and with your fingers break up any large lumps. Couscous may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring couscous to room temperature before proceeding.
• Fluff couscous with fork again and stir in currants, pistachios, mint, and salt and pepper to taste.

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PINE NUTS AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add pine nuts and stir until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to small bowl.
• Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in same pan over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add couscous, cinnamon stick, and 2 bay leaves and stir until couscous browns slightly, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add broth and salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until couscous is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Stir in parsley and pine nuts. Season with black pepper. Transfer to serving dish.

APRICOT-CRANBERRY ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add Israeli couscous and stir occasionally until lightly browned and toasted, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Pour over couscous and add orange juice. Stir in apricots, dried cranberries, and ginger. Bring back to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until liquid has been absorbed, 10 to 11 minutes. Fluff with a fork, garnish with chopped mint, and serve.

COUSCOUS WITH DRIED APRICOTS AND PISTACHIOS (VEGAN)

Steps:

• Combine broth, olive oil and salt in medium size saucepan. Bring to boil.
• Combine the couscous, dried apricots and spices in a large serving bowl. Add the boiling water. Cover immediately and let stand until the water is absorbed; approximately 5 minutes.
• Uncover couscous and fluff with fork. Cool.
• Bring salad to room temperature and stir in the pistachios, green onions and basil ribbons.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.