Israeli Cous Cous with Arugula Pesto
This Israeli Cous Cous with Arugula Pesto is a delicious pasta recipe packed with bright flavors! Israeli cous cous is tossed with a simple pesto made with arugula, basil, garlic, walnuts, and pecorino cheese. Crisp tender asparagus and briny feta are folded in just before serving. This tasty pasta is incredible warm or chilled!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Main Dish, Salads, Sides
Servings: 6 servings
- 2 cups Israeli cous cous dry
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz asparagus, cut in to bite sized pieces (about 1/4 inch)
- 3 oz feta,
- 1 cup Arugula Pesto, recipe below
For the Arugula Pesto*:
- 1 1/2 cups arugula
- 1 cup Basil
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 5 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup Pecorino Romano, grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 lemon zested
Sauté 2 cups dry cous cous in saucepan with 1 tablespoon olive oil until fragrant and lightly toasted. Add 3 cups water to pan. Bring to simmer, cover, allowing to cook 10 minutes or until al dente.
Meanwhile, blanch the asparagus. Add prepared asparagus to pot of simmering water. Cook for 2 minutes, promptly remove from heat. Drain and transfer in to bowl of ice water to stop cooking.
In a large bowl, combine cous cous with arugula pesto and asparagus. Toss to combine. Fold in feta carefully. Serve warm, at room temp, or chilled!
*Note: Recipe for Arugula Pesto yields 2 cups total of pesto. Recipe only requires 1 cup pesto, reservee remaining for additional use:
- As a veggie dip
- Tossed with warm linguine and sautéed shrimp
- Schmeared on a pita and stuffed with veggies