A non-Israeli friend of friends made this dish for Fourth of July, while we were visiting them in Montana. She told me that if she had known that we were Israeli, she would have made something else. I am glad she didn’t; it was simple, delicate and full of flavor.
Toasted Israeli Couscous With Pine Nuts, Currants & Parsley
Excellent side dish that is easy to make.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- ⅔ cup pine nuts (or chopped walnuts) - about 3½ ounces
- ⅔ cup finely chopped shallots
- 3 cups (16 oz) Israeli toasted couscous
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves - fresh or dried
- 4 tablespoons currants or barberries - zereshk
- 3¾ cups vegetable broth - or water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Put 1 tablespoon olive oil in a heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add pine nuts and stir until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
- Put 4 tablespoons of olive oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add couscous, cinnamon stick, and 2 bay leaves and cook until the couscous browns slightly, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
- Add broth and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until couscous is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in parsley and pine nuts (leave some on the side for garnish). Drizzle a little bit of olive oil and season with black pepper. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish.
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