Best Asparagus Couscous Recipes

LEMONY ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add Israeli couscous. Toast couscous until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly pour in boiling water. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until couscous is tender and water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add shallot and cook until starting to soften, about 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high. Add asparagus and a pinch of salt; saute until asparagus is tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir lemon zest into the asparagus in the last few minutes of cooking. Add cooked couscous and toss with the asparagus mixture. Stir in lemon juice. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS, PEAS, AND SUGAR SNAPS

Steps:

• Whisk 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, and lemon peel in small bowl; set dressing aside. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add couscous, sprinkle with salt, and sauté until most of couscous is golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add 1 3/4 cups broth, increase heat, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 10 minutes, adding more broth by tablespoonfuls if too dry.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add asparagus, sugar snap peas, green peas, and remaining garlic clove. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer vegetables to large bowl.
• Add couscous to bowl with vegetables. Drizzle dressing over. Add chives and cheese; toss. Season with salt and pepper.
• Test-kitchen tip:
• To trim asparagus, hold onto the top of the stalk with one hand and bend the bottom of the stalk with your other hand. The stalk will snap, separating the woody end from the tender top.

ASPARAGUS, FETA AND COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cook couscous according to package instructions. Put aside and allow to cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, place asparagus in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, about 2 to 6 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Toss the asparagus, tomatoes, and feta with couscous. Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and black pepper and toss to incorporate.

BAKED ASPARAGUS WITH SHIITAKE, PROSCIUTTO AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (it should be twice as long as the pan). Lay asparagus in a pile in the center. Scatter mushrooms and prosciutto on top. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, the pepper and nutmeg. Toss vegetables to coat evenly. Lay tarragon over top.
• Fold parchment to completely enclose vegetables, and staple top and sides shut (or tie up with string). Transfer pan to oven and bake for 1 hour. Asparagus should be just cooked through. If too crisp, return to oven until done to taste.
• In a small pot over medium-high heat, bring 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons olive oil and remaining salt to a simmer. Stir in couscous and remove pot from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.
• Spoon couscous onto serving plates and drizzle with oil. Divide prosciutto and vegetables, and their juices, among the plates and serve.

COUSCOUS RISOTTO WITH SHRIMP, ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook frozen peas, asparagus, carrots and snow peas in large pot of boiling salted water until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Transfer vegetables to bowl filled with ice water. Drain vegetables and set aside.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté until pink and cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer shrimp to medium bowl. (Vegetables and shrimp can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover each separately with plastic wrap and then refrigerate.)
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and shallots and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in couscous and tomatoes. Add wine and simmer until liquid is reduced by half, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add vegetable stock and simmer until liquid is reduced by half and couscous is just tender, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Mix in reserved vegetables and whipping cream. Cook couscous over medium heat until mixture thickens and is creamy, about 3 minutes.
• Stir Parmesan, butter and parsley into risotto. Add shrimp and mix until heated through and butter and cheese are melted and well blended, about 2 minutes. Season risotto to taste with salt and pepper. Divide risotto among 8 bowls and serve.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• To cook asparagus place water in a medium saucepan; bring water to a boil. Add asparagus, and cook 2 minutes or just until crisp-tender; drain. Place asparagus in ice water 1 minute; drain. Set aside.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken broth and salt; bring to a boil. Add couscous; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and cook 5 minutes.
• Stir in asparagus, black pepper, red bell pepper and cashews. Cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS, CUCUMBER AND OLIVES

Steps:

• In a small non-reactive bowl combine the garlic, lemon juice and Dijon mustard. Whisk in the oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Bring the broth to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Stir in the couscous. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the couscous is tender and all the broth is absorbed, approximately 10 minutes.
• Transfer the couscous to a serving bowl, sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Cool the couscous to room temperature.
• Once cooled, stir in the blanched asparagus, cucumber, olives, green onions, and 1/4 cup mint leaves. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Gently mix in the feta cheese.
• Garnish with mint sprigs.

ASPARAGUS COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place couscous, lime zest, and oil in a medium, heatproof bowl; toss to combine. Set aside.
• Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add salt and asparagus; cook for 2 minutes. Pour over couscous, and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let stand for 5 minutes. Uncover, and fluff couscous with a fork.

ASPARAGUS COUSCOUS & PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cut each asparagus spear into 3-4 pieces.
• Heat olive oil in a deep sauce pan. Add garlic, sautee for 1 minute.
• Add broth and contents of flavor packet.
• Add asparagus pieces. Simmer for for 3-4 minutes.
• Add couscous, stir to combine; turn off heat; add parmesan cheese, and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Serve.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, ASPARAGUS, CUCUMBER AND OLIVE SALAD

Steps:

• Press garlic clove into small bowl. Add lemon juice and mustard; whisk in oil. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Bring broth to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Mix in couscous. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until couscous is tender and all broth is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Transfer couscous to large bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature, tossing occasionally, about 45 minutes. Mix asparagus, cucumber, oliver, green onions, and 1/4 cup mint leaves into couscous. Add dressing; toss. Gently mix in cheese. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.

VICKI'S FAVORITE CHICKEN WITH GRAPES, COUSCOUS AND ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Trim tough ends of asparagus and save for soup. Place asparagus in a large bowl and toss with about 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of chopped thyme leaves and salt and pepper. Spread the asparagus out on a cookie sheet and roast 10 to 12 minutes until the asparagus is tender and crispy at the tips.
• Heat a large skillet over medium to medium high heat; add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, and 2 tablespoons butter to the pan. Place flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper then dredge the tenders in flour and add it to the pan. Cook chicken 7 to 8 minutes until browned. Add wine and scrape up browned bits as wine cooks down and bubbles, 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup stock to skillet. Combine cream and mustard and add to stock. Add grapes to the pan and turn chicken and grapes to coat and combine with the sauce. Simmer 5 minutes over low heat.
• Bring remaining 2 cups chicken stock and remaining tablespoon of fresh thyme to a boil in a small pot. Add couscous. Put a tight fitting lid on pot and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• Serve tenders and grapes on couscous alongside asparagus.

CURRIED COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS AND BLEU CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly pour couscous and raisins into the boiling water while stirring. Place a cover on the saucepan, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the couscous absorbs most of the water, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat and set aside until couscous absorbs remaining water, about 5 minutes more. Fluff couscous with a fork.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute asparagus, green onions, and carrots in hot oil until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Mix vinegar, sugar, curry powder, ginger, and salt together in a large bowl until the sugar is completely dissolved into the vinegar; add the couscous mixture, asparagus mixture, blue cheese, and sunflower kernels. Gently fold the mixture until the kernels are evenly distributed through the mixture.

BAKED ASPARAGUS AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°.
• Mix broth, asparagus, couscous, soup, carrots, lemon juice, dill weed and salt in 2-quart casserole. Cover and bake 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
• Toss bread crumbs and margarine; sprinkle over asparagus mixture. Bake uncovered 8 to 10 minutes or until crumbs are golden brown.

TOMATO ASPARAGUS PARMESAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• 1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook garlic for 2 minutes. Add broth and contents of spice sack. Bring just to a boil. Stir in asparagus. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 minute.
• 2. Stir in Near East Couscous; cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
• 3. Stir in tomatoes and Parmesan cheese

COUSCOUS WITH ASPARAGUS, SNOW PEAS AND RADISHES

Steps:

• Cook asparagus and snow peas in large pot of boiling salted water 2 to 3 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• Bring broth and lemon zest to a boil in large pot. Put couscous in bowl, and stir in broth. Cover, and let stand 10 minutes. Discard lemon zest.
• Fluff couscous with fork, and stir in asparagus, snow peas, radishes, lemon juice, chives, parsley and mint. Season with salt and pepper.

ASPARAGUS-PARMESAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• 1. Bring 1 1/4 cups water and asparagus to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in couscous and butter. Remove pan from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous mixture with a fork. Grate half of cheese; stir into couscous with dill, pepper, and salt. Shave remaining cheese; sprinkle over couscous mixture.

PORK CUTLETS WITH COUSCOUS AND SAUTEED PEPPERS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Cook couscous according to package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large cast-iron or heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add bell peppers and asparagus; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and loosely tent with foil.
• Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to skillet. Season pork on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook half the cutlets until browned, 5 minutes, flipping once. Repeat with remaining oil and cutlets. Stir parsley into couscous and serve with pork and vegetables.

VICKI'S FAVORITE CHICKEN WITH GRAPES, COUSCOUS AND ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Trim tough ends of asparagus and save for soup. Place asparagus in a large bowl and toss with about 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of chopped thyme leaves and salt and pepper. Spread the asparagus out on a cookie sheet and roast 10 to 12 minutes until the asparagus is tender and crispy at the tips. Heat a large skillet over medium to medium high heat; add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, and 2 tablespoons butter to the pan. Place flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper then dredge the tenders in flour and add it to the pan. Cook chicken 7 to 8 minutes until browned. Add wine and scrape up browned bits as wine cooks down and bubbles, 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup stock to skillet. Combine cream and mustard and add to stock. Add grapes to the pan and turn chicken and grapes to coat and combine with the sauce. Simmer 5 minutes over low heat. Bring remaining 2 cups chicken stock and remaining tablespoon of fresh thyme to a boil in a small pot. Add couscous. Put a tight fitting lid on pot and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Serve tenders and grapes on couscous alongside asparagus

GRILLED LAMB CHOPS WITH A BUTTERNUT SQUASH RING, COUSCOUS, ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• For the Lamb: Trim all fat from the lamb racks and cut each lamb rack into 4 pieces. Marinate the lamb in the olive oil, rosemary, and garlic for at least 1 day and up to 7 days, refrigerated. Remove the lamb from the marinade and remove all the rosemary and garlic sticking to the meat. Use 1 tablespoon of the spice rub to coat the racks. Grill the racks over high heat for 3 minutes on both sides. At this point lamb can be finished in a 400-degree oven in about 5 minutes for medium rare.
• For the Squash Rings: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Peel the squash. Starting at the top of the squash cut horizontally through squash at 1-inch intervals until you have 4 pieces. Using a pastry ring cutter remove inside of each piece so that you have a ring. Place rings in a baking dish. In a bowl combine the butter, honey, 1 tablespoon of the spice rub, lemon juice, and lemon oil. Pour over the squash rings. Cover with foil and bake for about 20 minutes or until the rings are soft.
• For the Asparagus: In boiling water blanch asparagus for about 2 minutes or until al dente. Shock in an ice bath. Use the chives as string to tie bundles of 5 asparagus together. When ready to serve saute the bundles in butter just until warmed through.
• For the Couscous: In a small pot bring the vegetable stock, 1 teaspoon olive oil, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon of the spice rub to a boil. Add couscous, stir, cover, and remove from heat. Couscous will be ready in about 5 minutes.
• For the Red Wine Sauce: Reduce all ingredients to a nice consistency and strain through a chinois.
• Serve the lamb with the Squash Rings, Asparagus, Couscous and Red Wine Sauce.
• For the Moroccan Spice Rub: Toast the coriander, cumin, fennel and grind in a spice grinder to a powder and add to the other spices. Mix well.

CHICKEN WITH GRAPES, COUSCOUS AND ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Trim tough ends of asparagus and save for soup. Place asparagus in a large bowl and toss with about 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of chopped thyme leaves and salt and pepper. Spread the asparagus out on a cookie sheet and roast 10 to 12 minutes until the asparagus is tender and crispy at the tips. Heat a large skillet over medium to medium high heat; add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, and 2 tablespoons butter to the pan. Place flour in a shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper then dredge the tenders in flour and add it to the pan. Cook chicken 7 to 8 minutes until browned. Add wine and scrape up browned bits as wine cooks down and bubbles, 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup stock to skillet. Combine cream and mustard and add to stock. Add grapes to the pan and turn chicken and grapes to coat and combine with the sauce. Simmer 5 minutes over low heat. Bring remaining 2 cups chicken stock and remaining tablespoon of fresh thyme to a boil in a small pot. Add couscous. Put a tight fitting lid on pot and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Serve tenders and grapes on couscous alongside asparagus.