Israeli restaurants are my favorite and I never thought that I’d find any new dish there out of the ordinary. But this time, I had the pleasure to experience the lemon herb couscous salad which was amazing. Add to that the marriage proposal we witnessed, and the whole experience was a very pleasant one.
Last week, my partner and I decided to dine at an Israeli restaurant in Austin, Texas. Situated on a bustling street and embodying a pleasing atmosphere, we were eager to try this restaurant. Upon arrival, the warm and accommodating staff welcomed us whilst showing menus boasting many classic Israeli dishes.
Once we took our seats, it was immediately apparent that the evening would be a delight. Aromas wafting from the kitchen were utterly tantalizing, and our anticipation of the food only grew as time went on. Moreover, we could hardly contain ourselves in our eagerness to begin enjoying the meal. For our first course, we decided to sample the delectable lemon herb couscous salad. Finally, when it arrived at our table, we were pleasantly surprised by its attractive and vibrant presentation. An array of fresh greens combined with a bright yellow dressing made for a visually appealing dish.
The delectable salad was truly delightful. The chef cooked the couscous to perfection, providing the perfect texture of succulence and al dente, while the lemon herb dressing added a light and zesty flavor that was exquisitely balanced. Furthermore, the aromatic herbs used in the dish were fragrant and inviting, adding a delightful burst of flavor to the meal. The combination of ingredients was exquisitely balanced, making it an ideal way to begin our culinary journey. All in all, we found the dish to be both savory and refreshing, providing us with a delectable start to our feast.
As we were savoring our delicious salad and chatting with each other, we suddenly had the pleasure of witnessing a romantic marriage proposal taking place right in the middle of the restaurant. Friends, who were all cheering in support, surrounded the couple. The couple was in heaven, and it was a nice reminder of the power of love.
As we finished up our meal, we couldn’t help but think about the delectable lemon herb couscous salad that had tantalized our taste buds. It was a memorable culinary experience that left us feeling sated and content. I decided to ask the chef if he would be willing to share the recipe with me. Much to my delight, he welcomed my plea and willingly provided me with the recipe. I was extremely happy and couldn’t wait to put it into practice at home.
Lemon herb couscous salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that they made with couscous, salt, pepper, extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, English cucumber, tomato, fresh herbs, toasted chopped walnuts, and raisins. They cooked and combined the couscous with a dressing made with olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Then, they mixed the salad with diced cucumber and tomato, a variety of chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or mint, and toasted chopped walnuts and raisins for a sweet and nutty flavor. The result is a light and refreshing salad that is perfect for a summer day.
Lemon herb couscous salad is a versatile and flavorful dish that you can pair with a variety of entrees or enjoy on its own. Here are some delicious ways to serve this refreshing salad:
Grilled chicken or fish: The light and tangy flavors of lemon herb couscous salad make it the perfect side dish to pair with grilled chicken or fish. The salad’s fresh herbs and lemon dressing complement the smoky flavors of grilled meats and fish.
Falafel: The nutty flavors of couscous salad are a perfect match for the earthy flavors of falafel. The salad’s light and tangy dressing cuts through the richness of the falafel and adds a refreshing contrast to the dish.
Roasted vegetables: Roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, pair well with the light and citrusy flavors of lemon herb couscous salad. The salad’s nutty and herbaceous flavors complement the caramelized sweetness of the roasted vegetables.
Grilled halloumi: Grilled halloumi cheese is a delicious and salty addition to the couscous salad. The cheese’s smoky and salty flavors are balanced out by the salad’s bright and tangy dressing.
Shawarma: You can use Lemon herb couscous salad as a side dish to complement the savory flavors of shawarma. The salad’s fresh herbs and lemon dressing provide a bright and refreshing contrast to the rich and savory flavors of the shawarma.
In summary, lemon herb couscous salad is a versatile dish that you can serve with a variety of entrees or enjoy on its own. Its light and tangy flavors make it the perfect complement to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and Middle Eastern dishes.
The dishes we experienced during our time at the restaurant were notably delicious and the service was outstanding. Lemon herb couscous salad is a favorite at my house. It instantly brings to mind the romantic proposal we were so lucky to witness at lunch. With its assortment of flavor-packed ingredients – including lemon, herbs, and of course, couscous – this recipe has become something of a staple in my kitchen.
So without further due, here is the recipe for the lemon herb couscous salad:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of Israeli couscous (also known as pearl couscous)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest
- 2 to 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- 1 medium-sized English cucumber, diced
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or mint)
- 1/4 cup of toasted chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup of raisins (golden raisins are recommended)
How to make lemon herb couscous salad?
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the couscous. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until tender. Strain out the cooked couscous from the boiling water, reserving it to one side.
- Combine the olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Make sure that you mix everything well. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper for seasoning.
- Combine the cooked, drained couscous with the dressing in a bowl and thoroughly mix them.
- Diced cucumber, tomato, fresh herbs, toasted walnuts, and raisins are to be stirred into the wheat berry salad. For added flavor adjust the seasoning by adding additional salt and pepper as needed. After completing these steps, enjoy the deliciousness of this refreshing wheat berry salad!
- You can serve it warm or chill it for about 1 hour before serving.
*Note: Israeli couscous can be hard to source, but don’t worry – a great substitute is available. You can use either small pasta shapes such as orzo or traditional couscous as a replacement for Israeli couscous.
This is a great salad to be served as a light meal or as a side dish in every other meal. I make it very often and always get raving compliments. Happy cooking!