Meatless Monday: Pepper and Onion Israeli Couscous

In our busy household we like home-cooked meals, we love to eat whole foods as often as possible, and we acknowledge that most days we simply do the best we can.

Last week we made a very quick meal, thanks to Dr. Praeger’s Kale Veggie Burgers (yes, KALE burgers and they are so good!), my Instant Pot, and a simple chopped salad (below).

The side dish starred Israeli couscous. “Ptitim” in Hebrew it is also known as pearl couscous and is “whole grain-like.” This quick cooking, round pasta is typically made with semolina or whole wheat flour and can easily be used as a rice replacement (try it in a quick-cooking risotto), as well as a fun alternative to more traditional pasta (I’ve served a simple marinara sauce over cooked Israeli couscous with vegan parmesan cheese). Last week I made this simple warm pasta salad as a side dish.

Pepper and Onion Israeli Couscous

by JL Fields @ JL goes Vegan

Keywords: pressurecooker side vegan

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup diced red pepper
  • 1 cup dry Israeli couscous, rinsed and drained
  • 1 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

Heat sesame oil in an uncovered pressure cooker on medium-high. Add onion and red pepper and saute for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add Israeli couscous, broth, coriander, cinnamon, pepper and vinegar, stir, and cover the pressure cooker. Cook at high pressure for 3 minutes. Allow for a natural release.

Fluff with a fork, taste before adding salt

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Pepper and Onion Israeli Couscous Nutrition Facts

We served it with this simple side salad:

Chopped Salad

romaine lettuce, apple, cucumber and vegan ranch dressing.

Sometimes spending a little time on a side dish really rounds out a meal. Do you have a favorite, fast, flavorful side? 

6 thoughts on “Meatless Monday: Pepper and Onion Israeli Couscous”

    1. Penny, I’m posting one tomorrow. I was on vacation two weeks ago and worked Saturday and Sunday – sometimes life gets in the way.

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