Name: Israeli Couscous and Kale Salad
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: ½ bunch kale, thick stems removed, leaves chopped fine (about 2 cups); 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1½ limes); 1 cup Vegetable Stock or no-oil, low-sodium store-bought vegetable stock; ½ small onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup); 2 small garlic cloves, minced (about 1 teaspoon); ½ teaspoon curry powder; ¼ teaspoon ground cumin; ¼ teaspoon sweet or mild paprika; 1 cup whole wheat Israeli couscous; ½ medium tomato, cored and cut into ¼-inch pieces (about ½ cup); ½ red or orange bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into ¼-inch pieces (about ½ cup); ¼ medium cucumber, cut into ¼-inch pieces (about ½ cup); 4 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced (about 1 cup); ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley; 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil; 2 tablespoons raisins or currants; 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts; sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ready In: 40 minutes
Makes 6 cups
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Incredibly easy to cook, Israeli couscous does a great job of absorbing the flavors of the herbs and spices in this vegan salad recipe. Like traditional couscous, Israeli couscous is tiny nuggets of semolina pasta, but the nuggets run a bit larger in the Israeli version. Mixed with fresh kale, colorful veggies, herbs, and spices, it makes a delicious pasta salad that will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days. Add some cooked chickpeas to make it a heartier meal.

From Forks Over Knives Family

By Darshana Thacker Wendel, Sep 1, 2017

Ingredients

½ bunch kale, thick stems removed, leaves chopped fine (about 2 cups)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1½ limes)
1 cup Vegetable Stock or no-oil, low-sodium store-bought vegetable stock
½ small onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
2 small garlic cloves, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
½ teaspoon curry powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon sweet or mild paprika
1 cup whole wheat Israeli couscous
½ medium tomato, cored and cut into ¼-inch pieces (about ½ cup)
½ red or orange bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into ¼-inch pieces (about ½ cup)
¼ medium cucumber, cut into ¼-inch pieces (about ½ cup)
4 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons raisins or currants
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a medium bowl, place the kale and lime juice. Mix well so the leaves are well coated. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, place the Vegetable Stock, onion, garlic, curry powder, cumin, and paprika. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and add the couscous. Cook over medium heat, uncovered, until the liquid has been absorbed and the couscous is al dente, 5 to 10 minutes. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water toward the end of cooking if the liquid is absorbed and the couscous starts to stick to the pan. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.
Add the reserved kale to the bowl with the couscous along with the tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, parsley, basil, raisins, pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and adjust the seasoning. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

tags:

Middle Eastern

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15 Comments

Comments (15)

(4.89 from 9 votes)

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Judy Berneske2 weeks ago

Looks good! But can you substitute quinoa for the couscous? For gluten-sensitive folks like me. 🙂

Judy Berneske2 weeks ago

Can you substitute quinoa for the couscous?

Forks Over Knives1 week ago

Hi Judy,

Yes you can! It may not have the same dense, chewy texture as the Israeli couscous, but it will definitely be a tasty substitute! You could also use brown rice if you want thicker grains. Let us know how it turns out.

Taylor2 months ago

I love this! Easy and quick to make. I cook the raisins with the couscous because I really love cooked raisins in rice dishes, and this was similar. I could also see cooking some shredded carrots in this as well. Similar to an Afghan dish that I enjoy (Kabuli pulao) but vegan! This will be on heavy rotation in my lunches.

brandi1 year ago

I was unsure about this salad to begin with, but after it sat in the fridge over night, it tasted amazing. I will be making this often. The couscous alone would make an amazing side dish.

Kim Skinner1 year ago

Fantastic!! Love taking this for my lunch. I’ve made it twice! Fresh and fulfilling!

Alicia Quigley1 year ago

Yum! Easy, healthy and delicious!

Diane Lux2 years ago

Sounds delicious! How long will it last refrigerated? I’d love to take for my lunch after serving for dinner.

Matt Merrill2 years ago

Fantastic salad! Perfect for a summer picnic with hummus and pita 🙂

Henry2 years ago

Couscous is not Israeli !

Di Donnelly2 years ago

Lovely looking dish and yes we call it Giant Couscous where i come from.

Rena Konar2 years ago

Because the name in Hebrew is P’titim. But they had to call it something when chefs, outside of Israel, started cooking with it in the late 20th century. Israeli cous cous was the name that fit. Now take a chill pill Henry. It’s only food.

Karin Remneff2 years ago

You may not know that “Israeli couscous” is the name of a type of couscous-larger, usually white rounds about the size of a petite pea.

Beth Palumbo2 years ago

Love this salad! I make it many, many times over the summer always to rave reviews!

Stephanie Mancini2 years ago

Delicious! Perfect combination of ingredients. We really enjoyed this one.

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Israeli Couscous and Kale Salad

about the author

Darshana Thacker Wendel

Darshana Thacker Wendel is a whole-food, plant-based chef and former culinary projects manager for Forks Over Knives. A graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute, she is the author of Forks Over Knives: Flavor! She created the recipes for Forks Over Knives Family and was a lead recipe contributor to the New York Times bestseller The Forks Over Knives Plan. Her recipes have been published in The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook, Forks Over Knives—The Cookbook, Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health, and LA Yoga magazine online. Visit DarshanasKitchen.com and follow her on Instagram for more.

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