I am getting ready for some cooler weather. I am sure it is coming soon. It has to be as today is the 1st of April. Before long we will be cooking up those winter comfort foods and sitting beside the fire with a glass of wine warming our fingers and toes. I am getting ready by cooking this tasty Harissa and Herb Couscous dish. It will be great as a hot side dish when the winter cooking starts. But in the meantime I am eating it as a salad served at room temperature.
250g Israeli Couscous (or Pearl Couscous)
2 x garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 x heaped teaspoons of Harissa Paste (or to taste)
2 x cups fresh herbs, chopped (I used coriander/cilantro & parsley)
2 x tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
2 1/2 cups boiling water
Salt & ground pepper
1/4 cup pinenuts, toasted
Heat pan on medium heat, add chopped onion and cook for five minutes or until onion becomes translucent. Add chopped garlic, cook for a further one minute and add harissa paste. Mix through and cook for one more minute. Add couscous and mix together, coating couscous in harissa mix. Pour in boiling water. Season with salt and ground pepper. Cover pan and simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring every few minutes until cooked. By that time, the water will have absorbed. Remove from heat and pour couscous into a mixing bowl. Allow to cool a little and then mix in freshly chopped herbs and pinenuts.
