Vegan Israeli Pearl Couscous Salad 🌱A delicious and nourishing blend of traditional pearl couscous, nuts and fruits that feeds the body & soul.
The combination of the crunchy almonds, sweet sultana golden raisins, tangy pomegranate and lemon, mixed in with the soft chewy couscous is so delicious. I fell in love with this salad on the very first bite. I know you will too!
This light and lovely salad makes a simple side dish or appetizer. It pairs beautifully with Mediterranean Roasted Veggies, Citrus Carpaccio and our Heavenly Hummus.
My friend Jerri-Ann makes amazing food. She truly cooks from the heart and each of her dishes reflect the love, care and effort she devotes to her family, friends, and community. This Vegan Israeli Pearl Couscous Salad is a perfect example of Jerri-Ann's "soul food" - incorporating the ingredients, flavors, and textures that are near and dear to her.
What is couscous?
People are often surprised to learn that couscous is not a grain. Instead it's a form of pasta, formed into tiny steamed balls made from crushed durum wheat semolina.
The are several varieties of couscous, the most popular are Moroccan and Israeli. Moroccan couscous is the itty-bitty version that cooks quickly and puffs up into a light, almost rice-like consistency. Israeli or pearl couscous (also known as 'ptitim'), is made from coarsely ground and toasted wheat flour. The individual pieces resemble small pearls, which are larger than Moroccan couscous, and take longer to cook.
Is couscous healthy?
Couscous contains several important nutrients, including protein. It is also relatively high in carbohydrates, so if you're trying to cut processed carbs in your diet, you may want to enjoy your couscous in moderation.
Vegan Israeli Pearl Couscous Salad
- olive oil
- fennel bulb - thinly sliced
- red onion - finely diced
- Israeli pearl couscous
- vegetable stock or broth
- apple juice
- fresh spinach leaves - roughly chopped
- pomegranate - keep seeds
- golden raisins - soaked in hot water & drained
- salt & pepper - to taste
- lemon - halved & juiced
- olive oil
- sliced toasted almonds
- Place a saucepan over medium heat and coat with a small amount of olive oil.
- Add and saute fennel, onion, and couscous. Toast for 1 minute.
- Pour in vegetable stock & apple juice and simmer for 10 minutes or until couscous is al dente.
- Drain excess liquid.
- Transfer couscous to a large bowl.
- Add spinach, pomegranate seeds, and raisins to the couscous.
- Season with salt & pepper.
- Pour lemon juice and drizzle a small amount of olive oil over salad.
- Transfer salad into a serving bowl and top with toasted almonds.
Enjoy!🥕
See full recipe below.
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Recipe
Vegan Israeli Pearl Couscous Salad
Equipment
- 3 qt or larger saucepan with lid
- large bowl
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin (reserve 1 tbsp)
- 1 whole fennel bulb thinly sliced
- ¼ red onion finely diced
- 1 C Israeli couscous
- 1-¾ C vegetable broth
- ¼ C apple juice
- ½ bunch spinach leaves throughly washed, stems removed, roughly chopped
- ½ pomegranate keep kernels
- ⅓ C golden raisins soaked in hot water & drained
- 1 whole lemon juiced
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoon almonds slivered
Instructions
- Place saucepan over medium heat and coat with 2 tablespoon olive oil.
- Add and sauté fennel, onion, & couscous. Toast for 1 minute.
- Pour in vegetable broth and apple juice. Simmer for 10 minutes or until couscous is al dente.
- Drain excess liquid. Transfer couscous to large bowl.
- Add spinach, pomegranate kernels, and raisins to the couscous.
- Season with salt & pepper.
- Pour lemon juice & drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over salad. Lightly toss.
- Transfer into a serving bowl and top with toasted almonds.
Notes
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Connie Edwards McGaughy says
This salad completely won me over the first time I tried it. Light, chewy, full of flavor and textures and so satisfying.