Pearl Couscous Salad | RecipeTin Eats

Pearl couscous is the large type of the extra frequent tiny couscous. Also called connoisseur and Israeli couscous, it’s like little pearls of pasta – therefore the identify! Makes a wonderful salad and is a good one to take to gatherings for one thing completely different that by no means fails to impress.

Pearl Couscous Salad

The immature little one inside desires to name this a Large Couscous Salad. However the correct identify is Pearl Couscous Salad, so I went with wise. However now I’m form of regretting it!

Pearl couscous is the massive brother of the extra frequent tiny couscous that I exploit as a aspect dish for Moroccan and African dishes like tagine. Generally mistaken as a grain, couscous is definitely a sort of pasta, and is right utilized in salads like on this recipe, or as a aspect like on this Syrian rooster.

Whereas the tiny couscous might be ready by soaking in sizzling water, pearl couscous must be simmered on the range. For my part, probably the most scrumptious means to do that is to prepare dinner it like risotto, beginning with sautéed garlic and onion then utilizing broth as a substitute of water. This infuses the couscous with a lot taste, you’ll be able to even serve it plain as a aspect.

What you want for this pearl couscous salad

I’ve given this salad a Mediterranean spin with a vibrant lemon dressing, pops of tomato, juicy crunch of cucumber and an excellent hit of contemporary herbs. The mixture of dill and coriander/cilantro is a agency favorite. If you happen to haven’t tried it earlier than, you’re in for a deal with!

For the salad

• Pearl couscous (see pictures above) – Large couscous which might be bought in packets labelled as such. Different names it goes by embody connoisseur couscous and Israeli couscous. Discover it alongside peculiar tiny couscous, often within the pasta aisle.

• Garlic, onion and vegetable or rooster broth – That is for cooking the pearl couscous. As talked about above, I prefer to prepare dinner the couscous in flavour to make it extra scrumptious. Strive it as soon as and also you’ll by no means look again!

• Contemporary herbs – Dill and coriander/cilantro are a beautiful mixture that I like utilizing. Actually attempt to not skip the herbs as they raise the dish. However for my part, that is nonetheless value making even should you should not have one or each of those because the couscous itself and dressing add nice flavour into the salad.

  Greatest substitutes are: parsley (similar amount) or a little bit of chives (say, 1/4 cup finely sliced). For a special flavour profile however one thing fantastically contemporary, attempt mint and parsley, finely chopped. Add to style. Be daring! 🙂

• Child spinach – Leafy inexperienced of selection. Finely sliced so it tosses by means of the couscous.

  Alternate options: Child rocket/arugula, torn by hand or chopped into smaller bits (so it tosses although effectively). Or finely sliced kale, however greatest to marinate it first to melt the more durable leaves. Comply with instructions in this recipe.

• Cherry tomatoes – For juicy pops and wonderful color. Atypical tomato lower into chunks or giant cube will even work.

• Cucumber – For contemporary crunch. Good textural distinction as there’s no nuts or anything crunchy on this.

Lemon dressing

A vibrant lemon dressing is a pure pairing right here. No surprises within the elements! If you happen to don’t have Dijon Mustard, sub with peculiar yellow mustard. And the lemon juice might be substituted with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

Tips on how to make pearl couscous salad

The pearl couscous must be cooked round 1 hour prematurely to present it adequate time to chill earlier than tossing with the salad elements. You’ll be able to pace up the cooling course of by spreading it on a tray and refrigerating it.

1. Sauté garlic and onion in a big saucepan or small pot over medium excessive warmth till the onion is translucent and beginning to brown.

2. Add couscous and stir, cooking for 1 minute, to coat it within the flavoured oil. Add the inventory/broth and water. Then as soon as it begins simmering, place the lid on and switch the warmth all the way down to medium low.

3. Prepare dinner for 10 minutes till the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is cooked by means of however nonetheless agency.

4. Cool – Use a fork to separate the couscous, then switch into a big bowl to chill. The couscous will stick collectively into a giant block. However don’t fear, it’ll separate when tossed with the dressing.

5. Dressing – Shake the elements collectively in a jar.

6. Toss! Add all of the salad elements and contemporary herbs into the bowl with the couscous then toss effectively with the Dressing. Serve instantly, at room temperature!

What to serve with this pearl couscous salad

Serve it as a meal in itself, which is what I typically do, or as a aspect.

As a aspect dish, with the intense Mediterranean flavours on this, the apparent pairing can be all issues Mediterranean like Greek Baked Rooster, Turkish lamb skewers, Greek Meatballs and Greek butterflied lamb leg. However I particularly love serving this with African and Center Japanese spiced issues – like Rooster Shawarma which is pictured beneath. The contemporary flavours of this pearl couscous salad are a terrific distinction to the earthy, complicated flavours of Center Japanese flavours.

Different related spiced mains embody Center Japanese Lamb Koftas, Lamb Shawarma (oh my, that is SO GOOD!), Moroccan Lamb Meatballs and the Jerk Fish I shared earlier this week (YES! It might be wonderful with this!).

Deceptively great amount of greens!

There’s a deceptively great amount of greens packed into this salad. As a result of the beads of couscous are so small relative to, for instance, pasta, there’s much more “stuff” for veggies to be stirred into. I’m probably not explaining it very effectively! However if (WHEN!!!) you make this, you’ll really feel like there’s a ton of greens for simply 1 1/2 cups of couscous. However the couscous expands when cooking and as soon as it’s all tossed collectively, it looks as if simply the correct quantity.

Hidden veggies!

Salad that may be eaten with a spoon!

Why does it really feel so immature that this appeals to me a lot??? – Nagi xx

Watch make it

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Pearl Couscous Salad

Writer: Nagi

Prep: 15 minutes

Prepare dinner: 15 minutes

Whole: 30 minutes

Dinner

Western

Servings4 – 8 individuals

Faucet or hover to scale

Recipe video above. I am keen on the intense Mediterranean flavours on this salad! Nice one to take to gatherings for one thing a little bit completely different that everybody all the time loves. Function a aspect (6 to eight) or a meal in itself (serves 4).Also called Israeli and connoisseur Couscous, pearl couscous is the massive brother model of the extra frequent small couscous. Texture and style like pasta – gentle however a bit chewy, however has a pearly, slippery floor (therefore the identify).

Directions

Couscous:

• Sauté onion & garlic – Warmth oil in a big saucepan or small pot over medium excessive warmth. Add garlic and onion, saute till the onion is translucent and beginning to brown.

• Couscous & broth – Add couscous and stir, cooking for 1 minute. Add broth and water, convey to a simmer. Then place the lid on and switch the warmth all the way down to medium low so it’s simmering gently.

• Prepare dinner for 10 minutes till the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is cooked by means of however nonetheless agency. Use a fork to separate the couscous, then switch into a big bowl to chill. (It can kind a sticky block however don’t be concerned, it’ll separate when tossed with Dressing).

Salad:

• Dressing – Place Dressing elements in a jar and shake effectively.

• Toss! Add Salad elements into the bowl, pour over Dressing and toss. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe Notes:

1. Pearl couscous is also referred to as Israeli Couscous or Gourmand Couscous or Gourmand Pearl Couscous. Mainly, they’re the large type of the extra frequent tiny couscous! Some recipes say to make use of a ratio of 1 cup of couscous to 2 cups of water. I discover this makes the couscous too gentle and gummy on the surface. Mine are cooked by means of and gentle however “pearl like” on the surface slightly than gummy, utilizing a ratio of 1 cup couscous to 1.5 cups liquid.
In Australia, one can find it within the pasta aisle of Woolworths and Coles subsequent to peculiar tiny couscous, and it prices across the similar.
2. Child spinach – Use about 2 handfuls of child spinach (approx. 50g / 2 oz), and even peculiar spinach leaves. Kale and silverbeet would additionally work effectively (take away the robust stem in the midst of every leaf). Be beneficiant – this can be a nice option to pack a number of greens into this salad as a result of it mixes by means of so effectively. Hidden greens!
3. STORAGE: The dressed salad retains fairly effectively for two days – after that the herbs are a bit too wilted. However it’s best served contemporary. If you’re making forward, preserve the Dressing separate till simply earlier than serving.
4. OTHER WAYS TO SERVE: This manner of cooking the couscous flavours it so you’ll be able to even serve the couscous plain as a aspect dish. If you’d like, costume it up a bit with a sprinkle of herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice. Simply think about the chances!
5. WHAT TO SERVE THIS WITH: This Pearl Couscous Salad has vibrant Mediterranean flavours so whereas the apparent pairing can be with all issues Mediterranean, I feel it goes notably effectively with complicated earthy flavours of Center Japanese spices akin to Rooster Shawarma, Center Japanese Lamb Koftas and Turkish Koftas. Would even be stellar with Greek Meatballs, yoghurt marinated Greek Rooster (skip the wraps within the Gyros), Souvlaki, Portuguese Rooster (skip the bread), Sluggish Roasted Greek Lamb. See my Greek recipes right here and Center Japanese recipe right here. (New addition: glorious with Jerk Fish!)
6. Serves 4 as a meal or 6 – 8 as a aspect. Vitamin is per serving, assuming 4 servings.

Vitamin Info:

Energy: 477cal (24%)Carbohydrates: 67g (22%)Protein: 16g (32%)Fats: 18g (28%)Saturated Fats: 2g (13%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 12gSodium: 547mg (24%)Potassium: 1352mg (39%)Fiber: 7g (29%)Sugar: 7g (8%)Vitamin A: 3582IU (72%)Vitamin C: 116mg (141%)Calcium: 270mg (27%)Iron: 9mg (50%)

Key phrases: couscous salad, connoisseur couscous salad, israeli couscous salad, pearl couscous salad

Did you make this recipe?I like listening to the way you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Initially revealed July 2017. Up to date January 2023 with a reputation change from Israeli Couscous Salad to Pearl Couscous Salad as a result of political sensitivity across the recipe identify. The model I used to make use of bought the sort of couscous labelled as “Israeli couscous”. I don’t need my web site to be a political discussion board so I’ve modified the identify. And truly, lately most packets are labelled “pearl couscous”. Put up has additionally been up to date with an improved video worthy of this fabulous salad and refreshed pictures. No change to recipe – it’s excellent as is!

MORE SUMMER SALADS to take to gatherings 

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Teamwork! 😂 (Dozer on the left with this good friend Aggie on the precise!)