Israeli Couscous Salad with Lemon, Mint, Peas, Feta, and Pickled Shallots

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Why This Recipe Works


To make pasta salad using Israeli couscous, we first toast the spheres in oil to bring out their nuttiness. We then cook the couscous in a measured amount of water that is soaked up during cooking. This absorption method produces more evenly cooked results than boiling the couscous. To turn the couscous into a salad, we dress it with a bold vinaigrette of equal parts acid and oil. Finally, we mix in plenty of fresh vegetables, cheese, nuts, and herbs.

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Ingredients

  • FOR SIMPLE ISARAELI COUSCOUS:
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 shallots, sliced thin
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons emon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 recipe, Simple Israeli Couscous (see related content), cooled
  • 4 ounces (4 cups) baby arugula, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
  • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (3/4 cup)
  • 2 cups Israeli couscous
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Step 1

1. Bring vinegar, sugar, and pinch salt to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat, add shallots, and stir to combine. Cover and let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Drain and discard liquid.

2. Whisk oil, lemon juice, mustard, pepper flakes, and 1/8 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add cooled couscous, arugula, mint, peas, 6 tablespoons pistachios, 1/2 cup feta, and shallots and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to serving bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup feta and remaining 2 tablespoons pistachios and serve.

FOR SIMPLE ISRAELI COUSCOUS:

Heat couscous and oil in medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until about half of grains are golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add water and salt; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed, 9 to 12 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand, covered, for 3 minutes. Serve.

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