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If you're looking for a show-stopper recipe for a summer picnic, brunch, pot-luck or for a delightful side for a grilled chicken, beef, pork or seafood dinner, this Israeli Couscous Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes is it!
We're pulling out some Café favorites this weekend. Summertime favorites. You know, those delightful treats that, if they could talk, would be shouting "SUMMER! SUMMER! SUMMER!" Recipes like this fabulous Israeli Couscous Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes. Every time I serve this, it gets gobbled up, always with rave reviews!
The flavor is fantastic, but I also love the fact that this salad is loaded with great healthy ingredients; along with the fun Israeli couscous (also called pearl pasta), it's got heirloom yellow and red tomatoes, tiny sweet peas, lots of flavorful herbs and SIX cups of fresh spinach.
We posted this one last July, but will definitely be enjoying it again for warm weather get-togethers this year.
Add some good Parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest and a splash of fresh lemon juice and you've got a recipe for deliciousness. This one's a keeper, for sure!
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Israeli Couscous Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes
If you’re looking for a show-stopper recipe for a summer picnic, brunch, pot-luck or for a delightful side for a grilled chicken, beef, pork or seafood dinner, this Israeli Couscous Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes is it!
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
- 1 cup fresh herbs, packed (I used about Âľ basil, then filled the cup up with thyme and a bit of rosemary - you could use all basil if you don't have access to a variety of fresh herbs)
- 2 cups Israeli couscous, 12 ounces, (also called pearl pasta)
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- ÂĽ cup pine nuts
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- lemon zest, from one lemon
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- water, as needed
- 8 ounces tiny frozen peas
- 2 medium red heirloom tomatoes*, cut into ½-inch (1cm) dice
- 4 medium yellow or orange heirloom tomatoes*, cut into ½-inch (1cm) dice
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the 6 cups of spinach and blanch for 10 seconds. Add the fresh herbs and immediately, with a slotted spoon, transfer the spinach-herb mixture to a colander. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, then drain.
- Wait until water returns to a boil, then add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the couscous and spread it out on a large baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and toss to prevent clumping. Add the tiny peas and toss again. Let the couscous-pea mixture cool to room temperature.
- In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts over moderate heat, tossing, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
- Squeeze the excess water from the spinach-herb mixture and coarsely chop it. Transfer to bowl of food processor. Add the pine nuts, garlic, cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper and olive oil and process until mixture is fairly smooth. If too thick, add a bit of water to make a consistency that will blend into the couscous. Taste and season with more sea salt and pepper as needed.
- Transfer the couscous and peas to a large serving bowl and stir in some of the pesto (you might not need all of the pesto - start with about half and add more to taste. Use any left over for a pizza or pita pizza base, as a sandwich spread or you could even spread a little goat cheese on some crostini and add a dollop of this pesto, delicious!) Â Gently fold in the tomatoes. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
Notes
* ~ If you don't have heirloom tomatoes, any type of summer tomato will do, Â just be sure to use a ripe juicy tomato, not a hothouse grocery store variety.
Adapted from Food and Wine
Nutrition
Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 7gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 279mgPotassium: 351mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2095IUVitamin C: 21.9mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 1.4mg
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Your photos are so alive!!!
I love couscous!!
I love Israeli couscous and have made it so many different ways. Just love the pretty green look with the pesto and the delicious veggies. You've did an outstanding and unique presentation of this lovely couscous, Chris!
Photos are superb, and very inviting! xo
This is a perfect summertime dish and so very colorful.
I love Israeli couscous.. It had more of a bite than regular couscous.. Never tried adding pesto to it. Great recipe Chris.
This looks light and delicious! I love couscous because it comes together so quickly.
I've never cooked with Israeli couscous either - where have I been hiding? This is a beautiful dish and I bet it doesn't last long - the photos are terrific! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Love, love, love this salad. (If this is a duplicate post, please delete.). 🙂
Big couscous fan here, I know I would enjoy this dish. It's so colorful too! I bet it doesn't last long at a get-together. Happy belated 4th Chris! 🙂
I've still never cooked Israli couscous. I do love it though. Will have to get experimenting!
Happy 4th of July, Chris!! What a wonderful salad to celebrate!!! Both colorful and tasty! XOXO
Chris, that's a bowl of happiness and goodness. I could eat this kind of food everyday and still crave for some more!
I love couscous, I could eat this salad all summer long!
This could easily become a family favorite at our house! I adore Israeli couscous! Hope you're enjoying your 4th of July!
Your pictures are so vibrant. It's almost like I can insert my fork right through the screen.
I love this salad Chris, have a nice 4th July!
This is a beautiful summer salad! I would love this for a picnic!
Is Israel Couscous different from regular, or is this part of the name of the dish? I have never had much luck with making couscous, but yours looks literally bursting with flavor!!! Hoping you have a great Fourth!!!
I need to try this pesto. Spinach is so much easier to purchase and it keeps a bit longer Plus I love the flavor. Beautiful photo as always! Which photo editing program do you use again? Not that it will change my photos that much!
Happy 4th Chris. I hope you are enjoying the holiday. I found my Israeli couscous at Trader Joe's, but I have also bought it at Sprouts or Whole Food.
yes yes this is my cup of tea..why on earth can I not find Israeli couscous..I have tried all types of stores..Watch..I'll find it in Florida!
Gorgeous Chris..and Happy 4rth to you and yours..
Sometimes larger groceries will have a "Jewish" or "kosher" section and you can find the couscous there. Hope you find some my friend!
I love your salads, Chris! This one is not an exception. So yummy!