Israeli Couscous Risotto with Roasted Bell Peppers

Risotto is a traditional dish made with rice cooked in broth to a creamy consistency. Usually, I add rice-shaped pasta (such as orzo or melon-seed pasta) which add more creaminess to the risotto. The problem was that today I unfortunately had no Arborio or Carnaroli rice in my pantry. I experimented with the only starchy ingredient I found in the kitchen; Israeli couscous. Israeli couscous is a small-grained toasted pasta.

I flavored it with roasted bell peppers. It's not very traditional but I found the starchiness of the couscous worked well. Surprisingly, the new version of risotto was very popular among the children in my house. I'm definitely going to make this dish again, maybe with other flavorings.

Moghrabieh with Root Vegetables (Lebanese Couscous)

Moghrabieh, like rice or pasta, is a palette upon which many flavors can be layered. I love the combination of couscous and beluga lentils, and to this I added cumin, butternut squash, mint, onion, turnip and red chiles. It's a healthy and delicious meal that hits the spot on a cold day.

In Paris, where I grew up, there is a large population of North Africans, so I was familiar with the tiny variety of couscous. My first introduction to the larger Lebanese variety was when I visited Las Vegas a few years ago. My husband ordered a plate of moghrabieh with lentils and vegetables. He fell in love with it, and so did I. I've been cooking with it ever since.

Israeli Couscous and Lentil Salad with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Gelee

I think Israeli couscous and lentils are a great combination. Lentils are often eaten with rice, and couscous is really just a grain shaped semolina pasta, so it's a perfect replacement.  

I added a roasted red bell pepper gelée for texture and flavor. It is basically a red bell pepper and walnut caviar, un caviar de poivrons aux noix in French, that I mixed with a little agar so it would hold its shape when I stack the layer of lentils, bell pepper and israeli couscous in a circle cutter for a nice appealing presentation.