Best 9 Israeli Couscous With Mint And Lemon Recipes

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Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous, is a versatile and flavorful grain that can be used in a variety of dishes. It has a slightly nutty flavor and a chewy texture that makes it a great addition to salads, soups, and main courses. When paired with fresh mint and tangy lemon, Israeli couscous becomes a vibrant and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer meal or a light lunch. The combination of flavors is both herbaceous and citrusy, with a hint of sweetness from the couscous. The addition of fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, can add an extra layer of flavor and color to the dish.

Let's cook with our recipes!

LEMON ISRAELI COUSCOUS



Lemon Israeli Couscous image

For this lemon Israeli couscous, the grains are cooked in chicken stock for extra flavor and tossed with peas, mint, parsley, and lemon zest.

Provided by Renée Behnke

Categories     Sides

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 1/2 cups Israeli couscous*
2 cups homemade chicken stock or top-quality canned chicken broth, or more if needed
1 cup frozen petite peas
3 tablespoons finely chopped mint leaves
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until tender and aromatic. Stir in the couscous and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, until evenly coated with oil and lightly toasty in aroma. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Cover, decrease the heat to low, and simmer for 12 to 14 minutes, until tender.
  • Stir the peas, mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil into the couscous, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook the couscous, stirring, over medium-low heat until the mint and lemon are aromatic, 2 to 3 minutes longer. The couscous should be tender and the mixture fluffy, not soupy. If it's too dry, add a few tablespoons more stock or water. Originally published July 14, 2009.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 192 calories

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT AND LEMON



Israeli Couscous With Mint and Lemon image

This is a very simple recipe, and so very light and flavorful, that everyone can enjoy , the flavor of mint is so light and refreshing in this dish!!

Provided by Chef mariajane

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for pasta water
1 1/2 cups israeli couscous or 1 1/2 cups pearl couscous
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more
olive oil, for drizzling
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
5 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally
1/3 cup golden raisin
3 tablespoons lemon zest, very thinly sliced (2-3 strips)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
fresh ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Bring pot of salted water to a boil Add couscous, and cook until al dente, Drain, and drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
  • Combine couscous and remaining ingredients. Let stand at room temperature for least 30 minutes before serving.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT AND LEMON



Israeli Couscous with Mint and Lemon image

A confetti-like pasta, Israeli Couscous, is served with Mint and Lemon and studded with raisins, pine nuts, and scallions.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for pasta water
8 ounces (1 1/2 cups) Israeli or pearl couscous (or orzo)
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
5 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally
1/3 cup golden raisins
3 tablespoons very thinly sliced lemon zest (2 to 3 strips)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add couscous, and cook until al dente. Drain, and drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet, and refrigerate 10 minutes.
  • Combine couscous and remaining ingredients. Let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.

CITRUS-INFUSED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT



Citrus-Infused Israeli Couscous with Mint image

Serve this citrus-infused Israeli Couscous side with our Slow-Cooked Lamb with Prunes and Dried Apricots.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 cup Israeli couscous
1 1/2 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, heat olive oil. Add shallot; cook until translucent but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add couscous; stir to coat with oil. Add stock, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until couscous is soft and all liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove couscous from heat; stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.

LEMONY ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS



Lemony Israeli Couscous with Asparagus image

I came up with this versatile dish during asparagus season. You can eat this as a salad for lunch, or as a great side dish to kabobs or grilled meats. This makes two hearty lunch-sized salads or four side-dish portions.

Provided by Diana Moutsopoulos

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Fruit Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 cup pearl (Israeli) couscous
1 ½ cups boiling water
1 shallot, sliced
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 lemon, zested and juiced

Steps:

  • Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add Israeli couscous. Toast couscous until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly pour in boiling water. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until couscous is tender and water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add shallot and cook until starting to soften, about 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high. Add asparagus and a pinch of salt; saute until asparagus is tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Stir lemon zest into the asparagus in the last few minutes of cooking. Add cooked couscous and toss with the asparagus mixture. Stir in lemon juice. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 445.7 calories, Carbohydrate 76.9 g, Fat 11.1 g, Fiber 11.1 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 99.7 mg, Sugar 5 g

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH LEMON, MINT, PEAS, FETA, AND PICKLED SHALL



Israeli Couscous With Lemon, Mint, Peas, Feta, and Pickled Shall image

I'd been looking to find a recipe using Israeli Couscous (not easily found in our little rural town up until recently) and saw this being made on "America's Test Kitchen." It's a wonderful combo of textures and flavors -- hubby raved!

Provided by lecole54

Categories     Greens

Time 50m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
salt and pepper, to taste
2 shallots, sliced thin
3 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups israeli couscous, cooled (see below)
4 ounces 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)

Steps:

  • 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.
  • 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 Israeli Couscous: Heat 2 cups of couscous and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until about half of grains are golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 2-1/2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of 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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 624.4, Fat 22.8, SaturatedFat 5.8, Cholesterol 20.1, Sodium 371.5, Carbohydrate 85.5, Fiber 7.7, Sugar 10.1, Protein 19.7

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH MINT AND LEMON



Israeli Couscous With Mint and Lemon image

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for pasta water
1 1/2 cups israeli couscous or pearl couscous
5+ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
5 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally
1/3 cup golden raisins
3 tablespoons lemon zest, very thinly sliced ( 2-3 strips)
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 dash fresh ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Bring pot of salted water to a boil Add couscous, and cook until al dente, Drain, and drizzle with just enough oil to coat. Spread on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
  • Combine couscous and remaining ingredients. Let stand at room temperature for least 30 minutes before serving.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, PEAS, PRESERVED LEMONS, MINT & GOAT'S CHEESE



Israeli Couscous, Peas, Preserved Lemons, Mint & Goat's Cheese image

Provided by Itamar Srulovich

Categories     Low Fat     Vegetarian     Kid-Friendly     Quick & Easy     Low Cal     Dinner     Lunch     Goat Cheese     Mint     Pea     Healthy     Couscous     Parsley     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher     Small Plates

Yield Serves 2 as a main or 4 as a side dish

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small leek, sliced and washed
4 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
2 heaped tsp salt
1 preserved lemon, diced
1 cup Israeli couscous (also called giant couscous or ptitim)
3 cups boiling water
1 cup shelled fresh peas
4 sprigs of mint, picked and chopped
4 sprigs of parsley, picked and chopped
4 oz goats' cheese of your choice

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large saute pan or non-stick wok. Fry the leeks and garlic on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes to soften, then add the salt and preserved lemon, and stir to combine. Tip in the Israeli couscous and continue frying for another 2 minutes or until the little couscous balls start to go golden.
  • Add half the boiling water and the peas. Boil until most of the water has soaked in, then add the rest of the water and cook on a high heat until it has also been sucked up by the couscous.
  • Remove from the heat, add the mint and parsley and stir well. Finally crumble the goats' cheese all over and serve.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH LEMON, MINT, PEAS, FETA, AND PICKLED SHALLOTS RECIPE - (4.1/5)



Israeli Couscous with Lemon, Mint, Peas, Feta, and Pickled Shallots Recipe - (4.1/5) image

Provided by DreiFromBK

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
Salt and pepper
2 shallots, sliced thin
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 recipe Simple Israeli Couscous, cooled
4 ounces baby arugula, roughly chopped, about 4 cups
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, about 3/4 cup

Steps:

  • For efficiency, let the shallots pickle while you prepare the remaining ingredients. In a small saucepan, bring vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add shallots, stir, cover and remove from heat. Allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Drain and roughly chop shallots. Set aside. Using a medium saucepan, heat couscous and oil over medium heat for about 6 minutes or until half the grains are golden brown. Add water and salt, stir. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir. Reduce heat to low, cover and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Turn off heat and let stand, still covered for 3 minutes. Next, grab a baking sheet. Spread the couscous in a single layer and cool. Set aside. Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, mustard, red pepper flakes, and salt in a large bowl. Add couscous and toss in dressing. Then add arugula, mint, peas, 1/2 cup feta and shallots. Toss gently. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a pretty bowl. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of feta. Add a squeeze of lemon juice over the salad if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature. This salad is best the day it is made, but does make nice leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. Enjoy!

Tips:

  • Use high-quality Israeli couscous. Look for pearls that are uniform in size and color.
  • Toast the Israeli couscous before cooking. This will give it a nutty flavor and prevent it from becoming gummy.
  • Be careful not to overcook the Israeli couscous. Cook it according to the package directions, or until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Fluff the Israeli couscous with a fork after cooking. This will help to separate the pearls and prevent them from clumping together.
  • Season the Israeli couscous to taste. You can use salt, pepper, herbs, spices, and citrus juice.
  • Serve the Israeli couscous warm or at room temperature. It can be served as a main course, side dish, or salad.

Conclusion:

Israeli couscous is a delicious and versatile grain that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is easy to cook and can be seasoned to taste. With its nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture, Israeli couscous is a great addition to any meal.

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