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Israeli Couscous Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes

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!
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 254 kcal
Author Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

  • 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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts over moderate heat, tossing, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Recipe Notes

* ~ 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.

Adapted from Food and Wine

Nutrition Facts
Israeli Couscous Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes
Amount Per Serving
Calories 254 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 279mg12%
Potassium 351mg10%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 2095IU42%
Vitamin C 21.9mg27%
Calcium 84mg8%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.