Quick Israeli Couscous Salad
Let me introduce you to my new favorite thing, Israeli couscous.
I have a new obsession that is Israeli couscous. I’ve been a fan of regular couscous for a while but once more, this time in a pretty purple box, Trader Joe’s has delivered greatness.
I don’t know about you but lately I can’t seem to find enough hours in the day. Commute, Work, church, exercise, blog, small group, taxes (yuck!), oh yeah, my husband. Sleep is overrated anyway. See what I’m getting at? I’m sure that you find yourself in the same predicament.
I assumed that we couldn’t eat this quick-fix all the time so I found another solution to the problem: couscous salad studded with lots of fresh veggies and big Mediterranean flavor for a health, quick and simple weeknight meal ever.
We have eaten this nearly weekly for the last several weeks and we can’t get enough! If you don’t like black olives, you can add roasted red peppers, if you don’t like spinach, add some artichokes. Stir in some hummus, add some chicken, or better yet, mahi mahi!
Just do it.
Quick Israeli Couscous Salad Recipe
Yield: 2-3 servings as main dish; 4-6 servings as a side
Cook Time: 25 minutes
A favorite weeknight meal full of color, flavor, and health.
Ingredients:
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 Tbs. + 2 tsp. olive oil, divided
1 1/3 cups uncooked Israeli couscous
1 3/4 cups water or stock
2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 tsp. Greek seasoning (we like Cavender’s)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Juice of half a lemonDirections:
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Combine the tomatoes, shallots and garlic in a glass baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast in the oven until the tomato skins begin to crack and the onions and garlic are tender and fragrant.
While the veggies are roasting, heat 1 tsp. olive oil in a 2 quart sauce pan. Add couscous and toast for about 5 minutes over medium-low heat, until the couscous is lightly browned. Slowly add in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.
After the water is added to the couscous, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to a large skillet and wilt the spinach. Add the black olives and seasoning and stir. Stir in the cooked couscous and roasted tomatoes, shallots and garlic.
Drizzle in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, and the lemon juice and add the feta cheese.
Cassie’s Notes:
We have also made this with chicken: add two cups of cooked chicken when you add the black olives.Other variations: add roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped artichoke hearts, any kind of cooked fish, etc. Adapt to your heart's desire!
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This does look like a delicious way to enjoy couscous! Also, this dish is versatile enough to be personalized, according to your own tastes. Because of its versatility, it is easy to understand why it is a weekly meal at your house. A great taste improvement over plain couscous-yum!
This is one of my favourite combinations of flavours – I quite often have it as a pasta salad so I’ll definitely try it with israeli couscous too!
i love israeli couscous + we have the same pretty purple box in our cabinet. this dish looks wonderful!
yum! I’ve never had israeli couscous before but this totally looks like something I’d be able to whip up easily and enjoy it!
This sounds perfect!
I love little salads like this–it’s my favorite flavors but still healthy!
Isn’t that purple box amazing?! I’m not a big fan of regular couscous but I could eat the Israeli kind every day. Love all the flavors in this and with chicken like you said it’s a full meal!
I’ve been hearing all about this Israeli Couscous, and I’m feeling very left out of the party. Definitely tracking this down and trying it!!
I havent made couscous in ages…I need to put it into rotation again!
I make couscous ALL THE TIME. It’s such a delicious, easy and healthy meal!
Loving this couscous! I want this for lunch!
Adore that little bowl in the top photo Cassie! This definitely looks like a great weeknight meal, or even lunch, which is good for me since I can never figure out what the heck to feed myself 🙂
I have never had israeli couscous but I am a fan of couscous in general. This salad looks awesome Cassie!!!
Yes. I share the obsession. I even made an unposted CousCous Mac N Cheese with it that I didn’t have the restraint to photograph before I inhaled it ALL. So, no photo, no post.
I LOVE this. It will be made in my kitchen SOON.
I’ve never tried Israeli Couscous before. I’ve had the smaller grain variety but never these, they look divine and a little more hefty than what I’ve had. Gosh this looks so fresh and perfect for spring/summer.
Looks yummy!! I love the Mediterranean flavors!
I have never tried Israeli Couscous before. I will have to look for it next time I am at the store. Looks like a perfect salad for spring!
Beautiful photos & it looks delicious! I love couscous too… like tiny little pearls 🙂
Looks delicious!
I had a bad first experience with couscous and haven’t braved it since – I think I might have to change that! And…if only sleep WAS overrated! Unfortunately it’s pretty dang fantastic and important 🙂
Okay I really need to get on board and try Israeli couscous!
I love Israeli cous cous. It’s a nice change up from quinoa and traditional salads. Mediterranean flavors go perfect with this type cous cous!
Ohhhh yummy! This is a great Cassie!
I agree with the sentiment here, Israeli cous cous is the best. I think goat cheese would work really well with this too.
Israeli couscous is definitely some of the best stuff ever! I love your salad idea. 🙂
I’ve never cooked with couscous before — this looks like the first recipe I would try 🙂
That looks so good! I love couscous and have some in my pantry that needs some attention 🙂
I used israeli couscous recently for a recipe, and also fell in love- although I did a risotto with it & mushrooms. Yum!
My husband and I love Mediterranean food and couscous is perfect. The blend of spices-just yummy.
That looks delish!
I always see the Israeli couscous at TJ’s, but I’ve never bought it before. I will definitely have to try it out!
Cassie replied: — April 23rd, 2012 @ 8:26 pm
I hope you do try it. It has become part of our weekly meals!
I couldn’t find the israeli couscous, but I have regular couscous. Do you think I can use the regular?
Cassie replied: — July 13th, 2012 @ 7:41 pm
Yes, I think that would work just perfectly. They are very similar, just different in size.