Recipe: Herby Israeli Couscous Salad

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!

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-Whittingstall River Cottage Veg Everyday cookbook.

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

  1. Finely dice the onion, leek and celery and crush the garlic
  2. Heat some oil in a pan and cook the onion, leek, celery and garlic until cooked through but still crunchy.
  3. Remove from the pan and place in a bowl and toss through the spices, lemon juice and lemon zest and set aside
  4. 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.
  5. Rinse the couscous and toss with the cooked vegetables
  6. 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
  7. Enjoy!

Herby Israeli couscous salad

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!

Herby Israeli couscous salad

Herby Israeli couscous salad

Are you an Israeli couscous fan too? Maybe my herby Israeli couscous salad is what you’ve been looking for!

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25 Comments on Recipe: Herby Israeli Couscous Salad

    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:10 pm (9 years ago)

      Isn’t it great, so much nicer than normal couscous!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:10 pm (9 years ago)

      You definitely can’t!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:11 pm (9 years ago)

      Thanks Vicki!

      Reply
  1. merilyn
    May 4, 2015 at 3:58 pm (9 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

    Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:11 pm (9 years ago)

      Once you try israeli couscous you won’t go back Merilyn, I know I haven’t! xx

      Reply
  2. bel @ Mums Take Five
    May 7, 2015 at 8:12 pm (9 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

    Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:12 pm (9 years ago)

      Thanks Bel, I really hope you like it!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:12 pm (9 years ago)

      It definitely makes an excellent lunch option!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:12 pm (9 years ago)

      How good is it Sammie!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:13 pm (9 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!

      Reply
  3. Danielle L
    May 7, 2015 at 9:09 pm (9 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

    Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 7, 2015 at 9:14 pm (9 years ago)

      Yep, parsley is the worst for sticking in my teeth, so it’s very important with this salad!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 13, 2015 at 7:31 pm (9 years ago)

      Thanks Lauren!

      Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 13, 2015 at 7:32 pm (9 years ago)

      It makes such an excellent salad base, I highly recommend it!

      Reply
  4. peregrinationgourmande
    May 10, 2015 at 1:04 am (9 years ago)

    I love isreali couscous. Unfortunalty it’s difficult to find here. This salad looks so fresh! And tasty. xx cathy

    Reply
    • I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
      May 13, 2015 at 7:33 pm (9 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

      Reply

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