Learn How To Cook a Delightful Pearl Couscous Dish

Couscous, the trendy food in the Mediterranean diet, today has caught the attention of many people for its nutritional properties. It is often used as a side dish, replacing rice, potatoes, noodles, etc. As known, it is a small, whole grain-like small-beaded pasta made from 100% durum wheat semolina or wheat flour.

How To Cook a Delightful Pearl Couscous Dish

On this occasion, we will be referring, in particular, to the pearl couscous, because of the appetizing recipes you can prepare. It is named “pearl” because of its unique shape of small spheres, and it is also named Israeli couscous. So in this post, you will learn specifically how to prepare Israeli couscous risotto with spinach and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

The ingredients you require are:

• 1 cup Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous.
• 1 bunch of fresh spinach.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter or margarine.
• 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped, or try 2 to 3 shallots.
• 1 3/4 cups vegetable stock.
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for garnish.
• 1/4 cup dry white wine.
• Optional: sea salt or kosher salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation

Follow the directions below to prepare this exquisite recipe:

1. Heat the chopped onions in olive oil, butter, or margarine on the stove in a large skillet.
2. Let the onions cook, occasionally stirring, for about 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
3. Then add the Israeli couscous to the skillet and toast the grains, stirring, for a minute or two, until lightly browned.
4. When lightly toasted pearl couscous, add about half of the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
5. Let cook for about two to three minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the other half of the vegetable broth.
7. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes more.
8. Add the dry white wine, stirring to combine.
9. Heat, stirring, for another 3 to 5 minutes.
10. Then add the fresh spinach.
11. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let heat until spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes.
12. Turn off the heat and stir in Parmesan cheese.
13. Season generously with sea salt or kosher salt and a little black pepper, taste.
14. When Parmesan cheese has melted, plate and serve immediately.
15. Garnish individual servings with a little extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Tips

This versatile cereal-type food can be used as pasta, quinoa rice, or whole grain.

You can also add a handful to salads and even to soups to get a more full-bodied texture. Likewise, it can be consumed as a top in a sautéed vegetable dip or roasted vegetables.

It is perfect for enhancing stews, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, and much more.

Try making a tasty Israeli couscous pilaf instead of a rice pilaf, or use it to make a cold grain salad, such as a quinoa salad or rice salad.

Some cooks and chefs use Israeli couscous in any recipe for orzo.

There is plenty of information on prestigious websites about cooking pearl couscous, from which you can get easy and delicious recipes.

Benefits

Not only because it tastes good but also because it is filling and not too filling, so you don’t overeat. Israeli couscous is thicker than Moroccan couscous and is easy, healthy, and quick to cook.

One of the main health benefits of couscous is that it boosts the immune system. That is due to its selenium content. As it is known, the selenium in couscous helps increase the power of the human immune system. This antioxidant contributes to diminishing inflammation and boosts immunity by reducing oxidative stress in the body.

This effect is based on the additional research carried out, which has shown that while high levels of selenium in the blood improve immune response, a deficiency can damage immune cells and their functionality.

Furthermore, selenium also plays an essential role in regenerating vitamins C and E, which helps improve the immune system.

Likewise, pearl couscous has proved to be a good source of plant-based protein. Approximately 16-20% of the body is made up of proteins. Most of them are chains of amino acids, which are involved in most metabolic processes in your body and, of course, in the formation of muscle tissue.

Pearl couscous is a good fiber source, supporting digestive health and alleviating constipation.

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