05 May 2013

Green Couscous from Ottolenghi’s Plenty - IHCC


This week’s theme for our Ottolenghi IHCC is go with the grain, there is myriad of delicious options to choose from but it was this green couscous that caught my eye with it’s vibrant green herby paste, peppery rocket & pistachios.


 There’s something about all that green that is the perfect pick me up on wet & grey Autumn Sunday.  And when I say wet I don’t mean a few showers or a little drizzle I mean a fully fledged downpour bordering on torrential.    The windscreen wipers going like the clappers  & still only a foot or 2 of visibility ahead as, even Auckland, drivers slowed to a cautious crawl.  There is, though, something about that kind of rain that makes we want to venture outside, maybe just to see how really wet it could possibly be, but just to stand there & be soaked right to the skin in the downpour.

“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” 
― Roger Miller

So this is what brightened up my Sunday, even though I kind of like the rain too.

Green Couscous from Ottolenghi’s Plenty

Serves 4

Ingredients

150g couscous
160ml boiling water or vegetable stock
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
50g pistachios, shelled & toasted
3 spring onion, finely sliced
1 fresh green chilli*, thinly sliced
30g rocket, chopped

Herb Paste
20g flat-leaf parsley
20g coriander
2 tbsp tarragon
2 tbsp dill
2 tbsp mint
90ml olive oil

*I used one of the gorgeous serrano’s picked up from Orcona Chillis ‘n Peppers the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market



Directions

Place couscous in a large bowl & add boiling water or stock. Cover the bowl with cling film & let it stand for 10 minutes.  


Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over a medium heat & add the onion. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring now & then until golden & soft.  Add salt & cumin mix well & leave it to cool.


For the herb paste...
Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor & blitz until smooth.  Add the herb paste to the couscous & mix it all together. Fluff it up with a fork. Add the cooked onion, pistachios, spring onions, green chilli & rocket & gently mix until well combined.  Serve at room temperature.



Something this green can only be bright & wonderfully nourishing. It is fresh & full of a myriad of flavours & textures that come together to create vibrant, fragrant salad.  A lovely sweetness from the sauteed onions, a sweet crunch from the pistachios, a little heat from the chilli all enveloped in the verdant & herby paste.  This one is another keeper & lunch for the next couple of days.


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Enjoy!

37 comments:

  1. Looks like one tasty couscous which I will definitely try as I hate bland couscous!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Lesley, bland couscous is never good! Luckily the marvelous Ottolenghi doesn't do bland & this one is positively bursting with flavours :)

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  2. This is a refreshing and beautiful dish! All the lovely herbs must have added tons of flavours! And I love the golden onions!
    It is raining over here now, with thunder and heavy downpour!
    Wish you a lovely week ahead!

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    Replies
    1. Lots of flavour :) And I do think it is those golden onions that really make this dish, that rich caramelly sweetness is just wonderful.
      You have a fantastic weekend too :)

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  3. Oh yes, I can see how this would brighten even the gloomiest of days!! Ottolenghi definitely does it again with this one, and I can't wait to try it. I could very happily eat just a huge bowl of this on its own, but I can easily imagine it making a great side to all sorts of other things too.

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    1. Thanks Sue, though I did kind of enjoy today's gloominess given I was in the kitchen making all sorts of Ottolenghi creations & soup, not to mention MTV Classic & a plethora of hits from my teenage years playing in the background...a pretty perfect Sunday :)

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  4. Mmm! I know I would love this dish! I am a sucker for any green pesto combination! Great offering Mairi!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Susan, the herb paste just really livens the whole thing up :)

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  5. This recipe is very high on my list of Ottolenghi recipes to try. I can tell by looking at your pictures that the salad is full of texture and flavor, which I find totally addictive. An absolutely gorgeous green salad!

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    1. Thanks Kim :) You should, I don't think you will be disappointed :) So much texture & flavour, most certainly not a dull couscous :)

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  6. I like the look of that herb paste! I can see how this woul brighten up your day. The colors are so vivid. I'm with Kim--great texture in this dish.

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    1. Thanks Michelle, yes the herb paste is a knock out....I am thinking it would also be great folded through some pasta :)

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  7. So pretty! I made this dish when I first bought Plenty--before we started cooking with Ottolenghi and really loved it. You are right--eating something so bright and green does feel nourishing. ;-)

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    1. Thanks Deb :) I have no idea why it took me so long to make this one!

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  8. If I ever want a fresh and bright pick me up I turn to your blog and you never disappoint. I don't think an Ottolenghi recipe ever fails to refresh your taste buds. This one looks like another winner.

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    1. Thanks Julie, that means a lot :) And yes still to come across an Ottolenghi that doesn't delight me :)

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  9. Oh, I love all these green herbs, Mairi! This looks perfect for spring here, and I can imagine it brightened a rainy day quite nicely.

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    1. Hi Hannah, it did, though I have to say I did quite enjoy my rain Sunday & since then we have gone from wet & wild to the return of sunshine & blue skies. Hope you have a great week Hannah!

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  10. Lovely all those herbs and chilli, I'll have to give this one a go.

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    1. Especially as it was beautiful serrano chilli from the Hawke's Bay!

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  11. so colorful - I love the use of all those herbs

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    1. Thanks Mireille, he is a master with herbs :)

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