Imagine a culinary journey that transports you to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean with just one bite! This Israeli Couscous recipe is not just a meal, it's an experience that combines vibrant flavors, stunning textures, and a gourmet touch that will make your taste buds dance. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or a curious food lover, this dish promises to elevate your cooking game and impress even the most discerning palates.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup Israeli couscous
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add Israeli couscous and toast lightly for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Pour vegetable broth into the pan with toasted couscous. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer for 10-12 minutes until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender.
- While couscous is cooking, chop sun-dried tomatoes into small, uniform pieces. Finely chop fresh basil leaves.
- Once couscous is cooked, remove from heat and let stand covered for 2-3 minutes. Fluff the grains gently with a fork to separate.
- Transfer cooked couscous to a large mixing bowl. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. Drizzle remaining olive oil over the mixture.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Gently fold ingredients together to distribute evenly.
- Crumble goat cheese over the top of the couscous mixture. Fold lightly to allow cheese to slightly melt and integrate with warm grains.
- Serve warm or at room temperature as a side dish or light main course. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Toast the couscous before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent clumping.
- Use vegetable broth instead of water for deeper, richer taste.
- Let the couscous rest after cooking to achieve the perfect fluffy texture.
- Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil for maximum flavor impact.
- For extra richness, choose a creamy, tangy goat cheese.
- Don't overmix when adding cheese - let it slightly melt for beautiful marbling.
- This dish can be served warm or at room temperature, making it perfect for meal prep and picnics.
- Experiment with additional herbs like oregano or thyme for variation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 346kcal
Carbohydrates: 47g
Protein: 13g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
