Pearl couscous is the large type of the extra widespread tiny couscous. Also called gourmand 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 totally different that by no means fails to impress.
Pearl Couscous Salad
The immature baby inside desires to name this a Big Couscous Salad. However the correct identify is Pearl Couscous Salad, so I went with wise. However now I’m type of regretting it!
Pearl couscous is the massive brother of the extra widespread tiny couscous that I take advantage of as a aspect dish for Moroccan and African dishes like tagine. Generally mistaken as a grain, couscous is definitely a kind 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 scorching water, pearl couscous must be simmered on the range. In my opinion, essentially the most scrumptious manner to do that is to cook dinner it like risotto, beginning with sautéed garlic and onion then utilizing broth as an alternative of water. This infuses the couscous with a lot taste, you possibly can 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 hit of contemporary herbs. The mix of dill and coriander/cilantro is a agency favorite. When you haven’t tried it earlier than, you’re in for a deal with!
For the salad
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Pearl couscous (see pictures above) – Big couscous which can be bought in packets labelled as such. Different names it goes by embody gourmand couscous and Israeli couscous. Discover it alongside odd tiny couscous, normally within the pasta aisle.
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Garlic, onion and vegetable or rooster broth – That is for cooking the pearl couscous. As talked about above, I prefer to cook dinner the couscous in flavour to make it extra scrumptious. Strive it as soon as and also you’ll by no means look again!
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Contemporary herbs – Dill and coriander/cilantro are a beautiful mixture that I really like utilizing. Actually strive to not skip the herbs as they carry the dish. However for my part, that is nonetheless price making even for those who shouldn’t 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 unique flavour profile however one thing superbly contemporary, strive mint and parsley, finely chopped. Add to style. Be daring! 🙂
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Child spinach – Leafy inexperienced of alternative. Finely sliced so it tosses by way of the couscous.
Alternate options: Child rocket/arugula, torn by hand or chopped into smaller bits (so it tosses although properly). Or finely sliced kale, however greatest to marinate it first to melt the more durable leaves. Observe instructions in this recipe.
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Cherry tomatoes – For juicy pops and beautiful color. Extraordinary tomato reduce into chunks or giant cube can even work.
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Cucumber – For contemporary crunch. Good textural distinction as there’s no nuts or the rest crunchy on this.
Lemon dressing
A vibrant lemon dressing is a pure pairing right here. No surprises within the components! When you don’t have Dijon Mustard, sub with odd yellow mustard. And the lemon juice might be substituted with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
The best way to make pearl couscous salad
The pearl couscous must be cooked round 1 hour upfront to offer it ample time to chill earlier than tossing with the salad components. You may velocity up the cooling course of by spreading it on a tray and refrigerating it.
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Sauté garlic and onion in a big saucepan or small pot over medium excessive warmth till the onion is translucent and beginning to brown.
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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.
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Prepare dinner for 10 minutes till the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is cooked by way of however nonetheless agency.
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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.
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Dressing – Shake the components collectively in a jar.
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Toss! Add all of the salad components and contemporary herbs into the bowl with the couscous then toss properly 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 brilliant Mediterranean flavours on this, the apparent pairing could 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 Jap spiced issues – like Rooster Shawarma which is pictured beneath. The contemporary flavours of this pearl couscous salad are a terrific distinction to the earthy, advanced flavours of Center Jap flavours.
Different related spiced mains embody Center Jap Lamb Koftas, Lamb Shawarma (oh my, that is SO GOOD!), Moroccan Lamb Meatballs and the Jerk Fish I shared earlier this week (YES! It will 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 properly! 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 amount.
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
Prep: 15 minutes
Prepare dinner: 15 minutes
Whole: 30 minutes
Dinner
Western
Servings4 – 8 individuals
Faucet or hover to scale
Directions
Couscous:
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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.
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Couscous & broth – Add couscous and stir, cooking for 1 minute. Add broth and water, carry to a simmer. Then place the lid on and switch the warmth all the way down to medium low so it’s simmering gently.
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Prepare dinner for 10 minutes till the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is cooked by way of however nonetheless agency. Use a fork to separate the couscous, then switch into a big bowl to chill. (It’s going to kind a sticky block however don’t fret, it’ll separate when tossed with Dressing).
Salad:
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Dressing – Place Dressing components in a jar and shake properly.
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Toss! Add Salad components into the bowl, pour over Dressing and toss. Serve at room temperature.
Recipe Notes:
In Australia, you will discover it within the pasta aisle of Woolworths and Coles subsequent to odd tiny couscous, and it prices across the similar.
2. Child spinach – Use about 2 handfuls of child spinach (approx. 50g / 2 oz), and even odd spinach leaves. Kale and silverbeet would additionally work properly (take away the robust stem in the midst of every leaf). Be beneficiant – this can be a nice method to pack plenty of greens into this salad as a result of it mixes by way of so properly. Hidden greens!
3. STORAGE: The dressed salad retains fairly properly for two days – after that the herbs are a bit too wilted. However it’s best served contemporary. In case you are making forward, maintain the Dressing separate till simply earlier than serving.
4. OTHER WAYS TO SERVE: This fashion of cooking the couscous flavours it so you possibly can even serve the couscous plain as a aspect dish. If you would 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 could be with all issues Mediterranean, I feel it goes notably properly with advanced earthy flavours of Center Jap spices similar to Rooster Shawarma, Center Jap 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), Gradual Roasted Greek Lamb. See my Greek recipes right here and Center Jap 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 Data:
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%)
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 one of these 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 really, today most packets are labelled “pearl couscous”. Submit 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
Lifetime of Dozer
Teamwork! 😂 (Dozer on the left with this buddy Aggie on the proper!)
