Recipe for Israeli Couscous with Pecans and Apricots from Modern Freezer Meals by Ali Rosen

Cookbook review by Tracey Zabar

This book is full of wonderful recipes that you can eat right away or freeze—perfect for making a big batch and defrosting single servings. I was enchanted with the recipe for pesto, using the bounty of basil and other herbs from your garden. Cook up the pesto, cool and scoop into ice cube trays. Dump the frozen cubes into a zip-top plastic bag, and freeze. Don’t forget to label the bag, and you can have garden-fresh sauce all winter long. Amazingly clever. 

450-Modern-Freezer-Meals_INTERIOR

Recipe excerpted with permission from Modern Freezer Meals by Ali Rosen (Skyhorse Publishing)

Click on the book cover to buy:
350-Modern-Freezer-Meals-Cover

Israeli Couscous with Pecans and Apricots

Israeli couscous might be strangely named—it is much more reminiscent of a small pasta than of regular couscous—but I love using it as a counterweight to stronger flavors and textures. Between the strong flavors of the spices, the seemingly endless freshness of the parsley, and the crunch of the pecans, this dish can hold its own.

Serving: 8

Ingredients
3 ½ cups water or stock
3 cups Israeli couscous
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 cup parsley, finely chopped
2/3 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1 ½ teaspoons salt, plus more as needed

Bring the water or stock to a boil in a pot. Add the couscous and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the couscous is just cooked and the water has completely absorbed. Add the coriander, parsley, pecans, apricots, and salt and fully combine.

If You Are Freezing for Later

Allow the couscous to come fully to room temperature. Freeze in individual portions in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. When you are ready to eat, heat the couscous in a microwave-safe bowl, 1 minute at a time, stirring in between until hot.

 

Tracey Zabar's Chocolate Chip Sweets: Celebrated Chefs Share Favorite Recipes is available here.
Zabar-chocolate-chip-sweets
A delectable collection of innovative chocolate chip recipes by world-renowned chefs, pastry chefs, and bakers

Tracey Zabar's One Sweet Cookie Cookbook is available here.
Zabar-one-sweet-cookie
A delicious collection of cookie recipes from extraordinary chefs, pastry chefs, and bakers. A great gift sure to delight anyone who loves to bake.