Best 8 Israeli Couscous With Pistachios And Apricots Recipes

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Embark on a culinary adventure to the heart of the Middle East with this delightful Israeli couscous dish, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. This dish of couscous, also known as maftoul, is a staple in Israeli cuisine, made with delicate pearl-shaped semolina grains. It's a versatile ingredient that soaks up the enticing flavors of the accompanying ingredients, creating a symphony of taste.

In this article, we bring you a collection of tantalizing recipes featuring Israeli couscous, each offering a unique culinary experience. From the classic Israeli couscous with pistachios and apricots, a delightful combination of nutty, sweet, and savory flavors, to the vibrant Moroccan-spiced couscous with roasted vegetables, a symphony of aromatic spices and colorful veggies, there's a recipe to suit every palate.

We also have a refreshing Israeli couscous salad with herbs and lemon, a burst of zesty flavors perfect for a light lunch or summer gathering. For a hearty and comforting meal, try the Israeli couscous with chicken and vegetables, a wholesome dish that combines tender chicken, succulent vegetables, and fluffy couscous. And don't forget the fragrant Israeli couscous with caramelized onions and pine nuts, a delightful side dish or vegetarian main course.

No matter your preference, these Israeli couscous recipes are sure to impress. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's embark on this culinary journey together.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS



Toasted Israeli Couscous image

Provided by Claire Robinson

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 tablespoons lemon-flavored olive oil, plus more as needed
2 cups Israeli couscous
1/4 cup shelled unsalted roasted pistachios, coarsely chopped
2 1/4 cups hot water
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
6 dried Turkish apricots, chopped
2 scallions, sliced

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the couscous and pistachios and cook, stirring, until toasted and light golden brown, about 7 minutes. Add the water, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
  • Remove the lid, stir in the apricots and scallions, taste, and adjust the seasoning. Transfer the couscous to a serving bowl and serve warm with a little more lemon oil drizzled over the top, if desired.

COUSCOUS WITH PISTACHIOS AND APRICOTS



Couscous with Pistachios and Apricots image

A Moroccan-inspired couscous side with pistachios and dried apricots

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories     Salad     Side Dish     Quick and Easy

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 10-ounce box of couscous, about 1 1/3 cups
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/2 cup shelled raw pistachios*
10 dried apricots, chopped
1/3 cup chopped parsley
Optional 2 teaspoons harissa, prepared or homemade (see this Paula Wolfert harissa recipe )

Steps:

  • Soak chopped onion in lemon juice: Place the chopped onion in a small bowl. Pour the lemon juice over the onions, set aside and let the onions soak in the lemon juice.
  • Toast pistachios: Toast the pistachios in a small pan on medium-high heat until lightly browned and fragrant. (Take care when toasting nuts, they can burn quickly if you don't pay attention!) Remove from heat and place into a small bowl to cool.
  • Cook the couscous: Put 2 cups of water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and one teaspoon of salt to the water. Once the salt dissolves, stir in the couscous, turn off the heat and cover the pot. Move the pot off the hot burner and let the couscous steam, covered, for 5-6 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 223 kcal, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 406 mg, Sugar 8 g, Fat 9 g, ServingSize Serves 4-6 as a side dish, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

LEMON-PISTACHIO ISRAELI COUSCOUS



Lemon-Pistachio Israeli Couscous image

Provided by David Lebovitz

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 preserved lemon
1/2 cup (30g) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (80g) diced dried fruit (any combination of cherries, cranberries, apricots, prunes, or raisins)
1/2 cup (65g) unsalted (shelled) pistachios, very coarsely chopped (almost whole)
3/4 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups (225g) Israeli couscous or another small round pasta
Freshly ground black pepper

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.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH PISTACHIOS AND APRICOTS



Israeli Couscous With Pistachios and Apricots image

This recipe was adapted from Veganomics: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook. They write that it is Turkish inspired and suggest serving it with grilled vegetables or sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and/or red pepper. It sounds good to me, but I love cardamom and cinnamon. Thank you Citruholic and LA Kate for your helpful reviews! Use Veggie broth if you prefer.

Provided by WiGal

Categories     Turkish

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups israeli couscous
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 -3 pinches black pepper, several pinches
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 lime, zest of
1/4 cup mint, fresh and chopped and divided
1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped to raisin size
1/2 cup pistachios, shelled
1/2 lime, juice of

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.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUSCOUS WITH DRIED FRUIT



Middle Eastern Couscous with Dried Fruit image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup raisins
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon coriander
1 1/2 cups packaged couscous
2 cups boiling water
3/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add the raisins, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the couscous to the saucepan, along with the 2 cups of boiling water and the salt. Stir once with a fork, cover tightly, and remove from the heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir with a fork before serving to fluff the couscous and combine the other ingredients. (This recipe can be made up to a day ahead and reheated over very low heat or in a microwave oven.)

ISRAELI COUSCOUS



Israeli Couscous image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Categories     side-dish

Time 22m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt
2 cups Israeli couscous
Extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, smashed
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup dried apricots, cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 scallions, white and green parts, cut thin on the bias

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 DRIED APRICOTS



Toasted Israeli Couscous with dried apricots image

Just 5 ingredients

Provided by judy wellington

Categories     Pasta Sides

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 Tbsp lemon-flavored olive oil, plus more as needed
2 c israeli couscous
1/4 c shelled, unsalted, roasted pistachio nuts, coarsely chopped
2 1/4 c hot water
kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
6 dried turkish apricots, chopped
2 scallions, sliced

Steps:

  • 1. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the couscous and pistachios and cook, stirring until toasted and light golden brown, about 7 minutes. Add the water, season with salt and pepper, to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
  • 2. Remove the lid, stir in the apricots and scallions, taste, and adjust the seasonings. Transfer the couscous to a serving bowl and serve warm with a little more lemon oil drizzled over the top, if desired.

COUSCOUS WITH DRIED APRICOTS AND PISTACHIOS



Couscous with Dried Apricots and Pistachios image

Categories     Fruit     Nut     Side     Quick & Easy     Low Cal     High Fiber     Dinner     Lunch     Apricot     Tree Nut     Pistachio     Healthy     Couscous     Bon Appétit     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups water
4 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 10-ounce boxes couscous (about 2 1/4 cups)
1 1/4 cups (about 7 ounces) dried apricots, thinly sliced
2 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/4 cups (about 4 ounces) unsalted pistachios, toasted, chopped
3/4 cup chopped green onions
6 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil

Steps:

  • Combine water, oil and salt in medium saucepan; bring to boil. Combine couscous, apricots and spices in large bowl. Add boiling liquid. Cover immediately; let stand until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Uncover; fluff with fork. Cool. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.)
  • Mix nuts, green onions and basil into couscous. Season with salt and pepper.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality couscous: Look for Israeli couscous made with whole wheat or semolina flour. It has a more nutty flavor and holds its shape better than white couscous.
  • Toast the couscous before cooking: This step adds a nutty flavor and helps the couscous cook evenly. You can toast the couscous in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the couscous will add a lot of flavor to the dish. Use a vegetable broth or chicken broth that you enjoy the taste of.
  • Add vegetables and fruits: Vegetables and fruits add color, flavor, and texture to Israeli couscous. Some good options include tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, carrots, zucchini, apricots, and raisins.
  • Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, and mint, can really brighten up the flavor of Israeli couscous. Add them just before serving.
  • Serve warm or cold: Israeli couscous can be served warm or cold. It's a great dish for a summer picnic or potluck.

Conclusion:

Israeli couscous is a versatile and delicious grain that can be used in a variety of dishes. It's a great source of fiber and protein and can be cooked in just 15 minutes. With its nutty flavor and chewy texture, Israeli couscous is a perfect addition to salads, pilafs, and main courses. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Israeli couscous a try. You won't be disappointed!

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