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There’s all kinds of excitement brewing at The Café these days! We’re making plans for some new culinary adventures, which we’ll be revealing over the next few months. so be sure to keep your (virtual) ears “tuned-in”! The preparations for this new journey we’re embarking on will be taking more of our time in the days to come, so we’ll be backing off just a wee bit on posting new recipes. In order to keep up the quality of our recipes and posts, we’ll be switching from five posts, Monday through Friday, to a three-posts-per-week schedule, beginning this week. Don’t worry though, we’ve still got tons of wonderful, fresh recipes to share with you like this delicious Israeli Couscous Salad w/Heirloom Tomatoes & Spinach-Herb Pesto.
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, you’ve certainly come to the right place! I’ve actually made this twice in the last week and both times it was gobbled up, 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! 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!P.S. If you're look for a WONDERFUL, super quick dessert check out Peanut Butter & Peppers blog - I'm a guest blogger there today with a recipe everyone needs in their culinary arsenal!
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach packed
- 1 cup fresh herbs packed ( I used about ¾ 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
- ¼ 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
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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.
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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.
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In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts over moderate heat, tossing, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
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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.
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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!) Gently fold in the tomatoes. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.
* ~ If you don't have heirloom tomatoes, any type of summer tomato will do, just be sure to use a ripe juicy tomato, not a hothouse grocery store variety.
lauraincucina says
Complimenti sinceri bella ricetta e bellissimo Blog!! saluti e buona notte laura
Mary Hirsch says
Chris - I hope I did justice to your Site and your salad.
http://www.lightsonbrightnobrakes.com/summer-israeli-couscous-salad/
The Café Sucré Farine says
Mary, so glad you enjoyed this - it was a big hit here also!
Mary Hirsch says
I made this during the week and shared with my neighbors, It is so delcious. Just wonderful.
Pacheco Patty says
Beautiful salad! I love new adventures, how exciting:-)
France@beyondthepeel says
I haven't had Israeli couscous in AGES! What a fab recipe to try.
amelia from z tasty life says
I am not a big salad person... but this one looks hearty, with the crunch of the couscous and the tasty green pesto to bring it together
Anonymous says
I love your beautiful blog. The pictures are fantastic. I wish the menus could print on one page!!
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Oh Kris...you are right! This is a showstopper! There is something about the peas with the couscous pearls that looks so pretty! Putting the ingredients on my market list for tomorrow! And looking forward to your new adventures!
Dining Alone says
This looks so gorgeous! Good luck on your new blog schedule.
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Your new adventures sound very intriguing... looking forward to learning more! Love your robin's egg blue dish... it's so beautiful and captivating - and even more so with the addition of your luminous couscous - gorgeous Chris!
Kelly Mulcair Registered Nutritionist. Content © 2011 Trinity Nutrition. says
Your new adventures sound very intriguing... looking forward to learning more! Love your robin's egg blue dish... it's so beautiful and captivating - and even more so with the addition of your luminous couscous - gorgeous Chris!