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
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
We served it with this simple side 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”
Comments are closed.
I just recently discovered how much I love Israeli couscous! And I must try those kale burgers!
The kale burgers are so good, @vegancrunk:disqus!
Looks good. I’m missing the News You Can Use.
Penny, I’m posting one tomorrow. I was on vacation two weeks ago and worked Saturday and Sunday – sometimes life gets in the way.
Hi JL,
I have some Israeli Couscous in bag in my cupboard, bought at a bulk food place. I am just wondering if it is always whole grain?
Many thanks,
Anne
Nope, I believe that there are white flour varieties out there, @vegan_grammie_annie:disqus.