Israeli couscous is by far one of my favourite salad bases, it’s filling, slightly nutty in flavour and combines well with so many other ingredients. I first made this salad as part of a dinner for my folks and it was so well received I knew I wanted to whip it up again for some work lunches! So here it is, my herby Israeli couscous salad!
The salad is delicious both warm and cold so you can make it in advance if you need to, and it takes under half an hour to prepare as well – perfect!
The recipe is slightly adapted from one is the Hugh Fearnley-
Ingredients List
- Small onion
- Leek
- 4 ribs celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- Oil
- 2tbs ground cumin
- 2tbs ground coriander
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup Israeli couscous
- Bunch of flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 bunch tarragon
- 1/2 bunch chives
- 1/2 cup walnuts
Steps
- Finely dice the onion, leek and celery and crush the garlic
- Heat some oil in a pan and cook the onion, leek, celery and garlic until cooked through but still crunchy.
- Remove from the pan and place in a bowl and toss through the spices, lemon juice and lemon zest and set aside
- Heat some oil in a saucepan and toast the couscous for a minute then 2 cups of boiling water, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
- Rinse the couscous and toss with the cooked vegetables
- Finely chop the herbs and roughly chop the walnuts then add to the couscous, tossing well to combine. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper
- Enjoy!
I love how simple this salad is, it really just needs a handful of ingredients but it is still so incredibly tasty. If you don’t have chives or tarragon growing then you can always just add a little extra parsley, but the combo of herbs really does work best. I love the crunch of the walnuts mixed in as well!
This herby Israeli couscous salad makes an excellent lunch or a perfect side for dinner, and it works well for leftovers as well. Basically, there’s no real reason not to make this salad, and make it soon! You won’t regret it! My only hint would be to make sure you have a mirror (or friend!) handy to check for leftover bits of herbs in your teeth before you go out in public again!
Are you an Israeli couscous fan too? Maybe my herby Israeli couscous salad is what you’ve been looking for!
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile
May 4, 2015 at 7:18 am (10 years ago)I totally agree with you Liz – Israeli couscous is the best!!! This salad sounds great!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted…Old Fashioned Lemon Delicious Pudding
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:10 pm (10 years ago)Isn’t it great, so much nicer than normal couscous!
Elizabeth
May 4, 2015 at 9:35 am (10 years ago)Cous cous with a whole bunch of herbs thrown in you can’t go wrong with that.
Elizabeth recently posted…Greek salad – revisited
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:10 pm (10 years ago)You definitely can’t!
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers
May 4, 2015 at 2:29 pm (10 years ago)I love Israeli cous cous and this salad looks great. x
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers recently posted…Introducing “Your Weekly Feed” a place to share the meal love around
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:11 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Vicki!
merilyn
May 4, 2015 at 3:58 pm (10 years ago)that looks great thankyou liz!
I’ve never tried israeli cous cous!
I’m over the other type as it always tastes rancid to me1 and it doesn’t matter what brand! i’ll give this a go! … love m:)X
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:11 pm (10 years ago)Once you try israeli couscous you won’t go back Merilyn, I know I haven’t! xx
bel @ Mums Take Five
May 7, 2015 at 8:12 pm (10 years ago)This looks beautiful Liz. I think my family would love that. I have nearly all the ingredients just need some fresh tarragon and the cous cous and sunday lunch salad is done!
Thanks for sharing
bel @ Mums Take Five recently posted…CleverPatch CleverKits Craft Kits
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:12 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Bel, I really hope you like it!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages
May 7, 2015 at 8:43 pm (10 years ago)This looks delicious and I can already picture me eating a nice big cold serve of this for lunch.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted…Coffee Walnut Loaf
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:12 pm (10 years ago)It definitely makes an excellent lunch option!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
May 7, 2015 at 9:01 pm (10 years ago)Yum! It’s green but not mean and looks all kinds of delicious! I LOVE Israeli couscous!
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:12 pm (10 years ago)How good is it Sammie!
Tammi @ Tea For Tammi
May 7, 2015 at 9:08 pm (10 years ago)Ooh it looks so good, and so healthy too! Love the mixture of herbs. Where do you get tarragon from? I can never find it.
Tammi @ Tea For Tammi recently posted…5 Winter Beauty Favourites: Plum
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:13 pm (10 years ago)My local veggie shop usually has it (I’m currently not growing it myself!) but if you can’t find it you can just leave it out, it’s still delicious regardless!
Danielle L
May 7, 2015 at 9:09 pm (10 years ago)Haha, love your tip about checking your teeth! I bought a bulk 3 pack of Israeli cous cous from Costco and haven’t used it a lot, thanks for some inspiration.
Danielle L recently posted…Never Fail Rocky Road
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 7, 2015 at 9:14 pm (10 years ago)Yep, parsley is the worst for sticking in my teeth, so it’s very important with this salad!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile
May 8, 2015 at 7:01 am (10 years ago)Thanks for linking up Liz!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
May 8, 2015 at 7:09 pm (10 years ago)Gosh this salad looks amazing, I love it!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted…12 No Bake Cheesecake Recipes
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 13, 2015 at 7:31 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Lauren!
Dani @ House in Tillford
May 9, 2015 at 10:00 am (10 years ago)Ive never tried israeli couscous before but your salad looks delish!
Dani @ House in Tillford recently posted…Trip Report: A Weekend in Dubbo (and at Taronga Western Plains Zoo)
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 13, 2015 at 7:32 pm (10 years ago)It makes such an excellent salad base, I highly recommend it!
peregrinationgourmande
May 10, 2015 at 1:04 am (10 years ago)I love isreali couscous. Unfortunalty it’s difficult to find here. This salad looks so fresh! And tasty. xx cathy
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
May 13, 2015 at 7:33 pm (10 years ago)Oh no, can you get it online? I tend to find it easier (and cheaper) at Italian or Greek stores rather than the supermarket xx