With crisp Autumn nights upon us, I am starting to pine for warm, comforting dishes. I climbed into my cozy sweatpants and slippers because I simply can’t cook a comforting meal while wearing shorts and sandals. That’s like slipping into a pair of Spandex after using up all of your McDonald’s coupons in one week. It’s just wrong. My husband returned from a business trip to northern California last week (and a trip to Trader Joe’s) with five boxes of Israeli couscous. That keeps him out of the doghouse for at least a month. Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous, is significantly larger than its traditional cousin. It is made from semolina flour and is considered to be a pasta. It pairs beautifully with vegetables (see my Israeli Couscous with Grilled Summer Vegetables recipe), meat, and chicken. Simmered with a cinnamon stick and chicken broth, and mixed with pine nuts, this couscous has a rich, toasted flavor.
Toast until the pine nuts are golden brown, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch these little guys closely because they will burn in a flash. Set aside.
Set a medium saucepan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons butter. Add 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots to the saucepan.
Sauté until the shallots are golden brown, 5-6 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups (8 ounces) Israeli couscous, 1 small piece (or 1/2 large piece) cinnamon stick, and 1 dried bay leaf.
Cook until the couscous is just beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
Add 1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer until the couscous is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 10-12 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Stir in 1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley and the toasted pine nuts. Serve.
Cinnamon-Scented Toasted Israeli Couscous with Pine Nuts
Adapted from a recipe in Bon Appétit Magazine
1/3 cup pine nuts
2 tbsp butter
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
1 1/2 cups (8 oz) Israeli couscous
1 small or 1/2 large cinnamon stick
1 dried bay leaf
1 3/4 cups low-salt chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley
Preheat a small skillet over medium heat and add pine nuts. Toast until the pine nuts are golden brown, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Set a medium saucepan over medium heat and add butter. Add shallots to the saucepan. Sauté until the shallots are golden brown, 5-6 minutes. Add Israeli couscous, cinnamon stick, and dried bay leaf. Cook until the couscous is just beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer until the couscous is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 10-12 minutes.
Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf. Stir in 1/4 cup minced fresh Italian parsley and the toasted pine nuts. Serve.
Miranda says
Sep 21, 2009 at 11:06 amI love your recipes!!
CC, you rock!!
GarlicBOSS says
Sep 21, 2009 at 11:31 amThis sounds delicious with the cinnamon…thanks
Karine says
Sep 21, 2009 at 12:03 pmI have never had israeli couscous. I should give it a try. I love the addition of the pine nuts in your recipe. It looks great!
Divina Pe says
Sep 21, 2009 at 12:58 pmLovely couscous. I don't even know if we have Israeli couscous. Thanks fore the recipe.
Diana Bauman says
Sep 21, 2009 at 2:33 pmThis is beautiful CC!! I need to cook more with pine nuts, I just wish they weren't so gosh darn expensive, lol!
alison says
Sep 21, 2009 at 4:42 pma beauty post ,full of flavours!
Jessie says
Sep 21, 2009 at 5:07 pmthat looks extremely comforting and delicious! I hear you about slipping into sweatpants and wearing cozy clothes. It's been pretty cool here during the evenings.
Tasty Eats At Home says
Sep 21, 2009 at 5:34 pmThis sounds lovely. I'd have to switch out the couscous (maybe quinoa in its place) to make it glutenfree, but yum! The cinnamon sounds so great.
Jenn says
Sep 21, 2009 at 6:06 pmIt's been a while since I've had some cous cous. Looks really really good. I may have to add cous cous to my dinner menu this week.
lululu says
Sep 21, 2009 at 6:25 pmi love coucous, hvnt tried this large one though. it reminds me of pearl barley!
i think i'd like it!
Karen says
Sep 21, 2009 at 6:29 pmI bet the kitchen smells wonderful when you cook this! I'm going to have to try this.
Southern Grace Gourmet says
Sep 21, 2009 at 8:30 pmWish I could have been there when this was cooking, I know the smell was to die for!
Laura says
Sep 21, 2009 at 8:51 pmI love Israeli couscous, and with the pine nuts….. delicious.
redkathy says
Sep 21, 2009 at 9:04 pmLooks fabulous! My niece introduced me to couscous but nothing like your display here.
Cajun Chef Ryan says
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:00 pmCouscous and with pine nuts, oh my! Wonderful!
Thanks much!
Spicie Foodie says
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:05 pmGreat recipe:) I have make a similar rice dish,never tried it with couscous. But I really like your recipe, sounds yummy & good comfort food for the cooler weather. Nice
pegasuslegend says
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:29 pmThis looks and sounds wonderful thanks for sharing1
pixen says
Sep 22, 2009 at 12:26 amReally yummy! I love couscous compared to bulgur wheat. It's an amazing graine! 🙂
HoneyB says
Sep 22, 2009 at 12:37 amThis looks delicious! I am new to eating couscous and now I will be on the lookout for Israeli couscous! Great photograph. Makes me want to dig right in!
Joelen says
Sep 22, 2009 at 2:56 amI love couscous, especially Israeli because I find the texture to be better! Looks delicious!
Family Cuisine Food And Recipe says
Sep 22, 2009 at 10:58 amNice. Thank you for sharing. Cheers !
{kiss my spatula} says
Sep 22, 2009 at 2:24 pmi love pine nuts in my couscous! such lovely photos!
Velva says
Sep 23, 2009 at 12:30 amThis looks beautiful! I Love cous-cous. I can see why hubby will remain out of the dog house for at least a month 🙂
Simply Life says
Sep 23, 2009 at 12:21 pmWhat a great idea! That looks and sounds amazing!
Diana H says
Sep 23, 2009 at 3:19 pmThis sounds lovely, like a warm comfortable meal. I like the pine nuts and cinnamon.
Amanda says
Jun 7, 2010 at 8:01 pmI made this the other night for some friends who have never had couscous before and we all LOVED it! Thanks for the great recipe – I'll definitely be making this again!
Cookin' Canuck says
Jun 7, 2010 at 8:13 pmAmanda, I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Thanks for letting me know.