This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
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
-
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!) 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.
bellini says
This is such a flavourful salad with the spinach pesto and the heirloom tomatoes.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
How beautiful Chris! I love heirloom tomatoes and I can eat it endlessly. What a great addition to the couscous salad. I used to post 3 times a week (my first year - last year) and now started my 2nd year with 2 posts a week. Hopefully it won't be once a week on my 3rd year... LOL. But I think it's been great and I like this pace so I can actually have time to study about photography etc. Good luck with your new schedule!
Debra Eliot says
Wow---I have seen so many good salads recipes today; I don't know where to begin? This looks really tasty and fresh.
Catherine says
This is a beautiful salad. I am sure it would be a welcome addition to any picnic. Blessings my dear. Catherine xo
jacquelinetcu2006 says
I'm so excited to see/hear the good news!! I have to admit that I read your blog as part of my DAILY ritual. So I will miss my daily dose of The Cafe, but I am so happy for you and I look forward to hearing what else you've got cooking.
Your faithful reader,
Jacqueline
jacquelinetcu2006 says
I'm so excited to see/hear the news!!! I have to admit that it's part of my DAILY ritual to read your blog and dream of the day when I have time to really cook again. So I'll miss not having my daily dose of the Cafe, but again I'm so happy for you and I cannot wait to find out what else you've got cooking.
Your faithful reader,
Jacqueline
love to cook! says
Thanks Chris for getting back so fast about the herbs. I am going to make it this week. Thanks again.
Susan says
This looks beautiful, Chris! I've never made CousCous before, but I have all the ingredients on-hand, so I'm going to give it a try!
I wish you the best of luck & will stay tuned, as always!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Yum Chris! I keep saying that I need to experiment with Israli cous cous. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.
Una Semplice Passione says
I was just looking for a recipe like that for inspiration for lunch tomorrow (I never stop thinking about food! ;-)) and then I saw this in my blog roll. What a coincidence! I am very curious about the blog adjustments.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Marina, I'd like to tell you that I bought that beautiful bowl in Italy ......... but I'd be a big liar. I actually found it recently at a yard sale for $1!!! You can be sure that I snatched it up quite quickly and smiled all the way home:)
The Café Sucré Farine says
Hello love to cook!
I added a little note to the recipe about the herbs. Good question!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Hi Judith,
Thanks for tipping me off about the peas, I added them to the recipe. So sorry about that!
Sandra Lee says
Ok, you have me sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation. You also have me drooling over this beautiful salad.
lena says
i'm discovering something new today, spinach hern pesto and love your presentation, tho this is a pasta salad, it looks like an exquisite meal to the king!
cakewhiz says
this looks like a healthy yet flavorful salad... couscous is a very nice addition!
and i just saw those sticky buns in the previous post. all i have to say is drooooool!!!!! lol
love to cook! says
Which herbs would you recommend?
The Mom Chef says
I hate it when people tell me they have an announcement and then don't give me the announcement. I hate to wait (pout).
The salad does look amazing though. I love these summery fresh vegetables and grain salads!
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
Love your garage sale find, Chris. I would have guessed you bought it on some wonderful trip to Europe. I've printed this out in anticipation of the heirloom tomatoes that will soon appear in the farmers' market. This is my favorite kind of salad.
Kim Garceau says
I will be please to know what you are about too!!! Like this salad, a lot! And I have lots of israeli coucous in my pantry (yeahhh!!!!)
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
It is a beautiful dish! Enjoy the blog adjustment!
ally says
stunning job with this recipe! looking forward to your news!
xo
http://allykayler.blogspot.ca/
Anonymous says
Love couscous so will make this salad very soon!
Question: There is mention of adding peas in the directions to recipe; but there is no peas/amounts in the ingredients -?
Thanks - as soon as I get this info I'm off to the store.
Judith/Texas
Hovkonditorn says
I like couscous a lot and your salad is delicious and healthy!
Marina@Picnic at Marina says
I am already exited for what's going to be revealed in a few months... 🙂 Lovely salad, and beautiful bowl... Is it Italian?