Herbed Israeli Couscous Recipes

Steps:

• For the couscous: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly browned and aromatic, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to12 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the cooked couscous to a large bowl and set aside to cool. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, apple, dried cranberries, and almonds.
• For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until smooth. Pour the vinaigrette over the couscous and toss to coat evenly.

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in 2 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add couscous and saute, stirring constantly, until well coated and aromatic, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until just tender, about 10-12 minutes.
• Add the herbs and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• To make the zhoug, place all of the ingredients except the olive oil and water in a mini-food processor or small food processor and pulse several times. Add the olive oil and water and pulse until you have a coarse paste. It should not be a purée.
• To reconstitute the couscous, place in a medium size microwave-safe bowl and add salt to taste. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil and pour over the couscous. Let sit for 30 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Drain off excess water and place a plate over the bowl. Place in the microwave and microwave for 3 minutes. Carefully remove from the microwave - the bowl will be hot. Carefully remove the plate, taking care to avoid steam. Stir in 1/3 cup of the spicy herb paste. Taste, adjust salt and set aside.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Stir in salt to taste (I use about 1/2 teaspoon), the yogurt, and the couscous.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy 10-inch nonstick skillet. Hold your hand above it; it should feel hot. Drop a bit of egg into the pan and if it sizzles and cooks at once, the pan is ready. Pour in the egg mixture. Swirl the pan to distribute the eggs and filling evenly over the surface. Shake the pan gently, tilting it slightly with one hand while lifting up the edges of the frittata with the spatula in your other hand, to let the eggs run underneath during the first few minutes of cooking. Once a few layers of egg have cooked during the first couple of minutes of cooking, turn the heat down to low, cover 10 minutes, shaking the pan gently every once in a while. From time to time remove the lid and loosen the bottom of the omelet with a wooden spatula, tilting the pan, so that the bottom doesn't burn. It will however turn golden. The eggs should be just about set.
• Meanwhile, heat the broiler. Uncover the pan and place under the broiler, not too close to the heat, for 1 to 3 minutes, watching very carefully to make sure the top doesn't burn (at most, it should brown very slightly and puff under the broiler). Remove from the heat, shake the pan to make sure the frittata isn't sticking and allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes and for up to 15. Loosen the edges with a wooden or plastic spatula. Carefully slide from the pan onto a large round platter. Cut into wedges or into smaller bite-size diamonds. Serve hot, warm, at room temperature, or cold.