For the most part I am usually happy with new recipes I try, but last week I had one of those streaks when nothing worked. It was probably something I was doing and by the fourth flop I decided to turn to one of my favorite cooks, Ina Garten, whose recipes I can always count on to be excellent. I’m big on hearty and healthy salads and have had this recipe tagged with a yellow post-it ever since I bought BAREFOOT CONTESSA FOOLPROOF at my local Costco. I put off trying it because I couldn’t find the kind of tuna Ina uses in her recipe, Italian – packed in oil, and feared if I used the white albacore water-packed tuna I usually buy I might have another flop on my hands. The salad would have been good but wouldn’t have anywhere near the flavor that it has with the imported tuna that I was lucky to find at NEW SEASONS MARKET, my favorite store in the entire Portland area. They are upscale like Whole Foods, but they are LOCAL, and completely cater to the way of life we enjoy here in my city. When I move I hope to have a New Seasons close by because that it where I want to shop in my new life.
If you haven’t tried couscous before you are in for a treat. It is a Middle Eastern pasta and Israeli couscous has much larger grains than the regular grocery store varieties and it absorbs all the luscious flavors in the salad. This is hearty enough to be a satisfying entree for lunch or dinner and is a delicious side dish with roasted and grilled meats. The flavors are actually better the second day so this is a recipe that can and should, if possible, be made ahead.
This recipe makes lots and can easily be cut in half. I made a full recipe but used only one jar of tuna because it is $7.99 for a small jar and I wanted to be sure I liked it. I loved it and next time will spring for the 2 jars of tuna. Inexpensive when you consider how delicious it is and how many it will serve. This will be a great pot-luck dish this summer, one that will really wow my family and friends. I couldn’t find pitted black oil-cured olives so used niscoise olives instead…so good…and added a big handful of chopped parsley along with the basil. I prefer to serve this salad at room temperature and bring it out of the fridge an hour or two before serving. The flavors dull a bit when the pasta is cold.
Add dressing to the salad by the tablespoonful. If I had poured the whole recipe of dressing on the salad it would have been too much for my taste. You can always add more later if the pasta absorbs it. The lemony dressing is so good with the tuna.
- 2 cups Israeli couscous (10 to 12 ounces)
- 2 (7-ounce) jars oil packed Italian tuna, drained and flaked
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup good olive oil
- 3 tablespoons capers, drained
- ½ cup pitted, oil-cured black olives, coarsely chopped (4 ounces)
- ½ cup jarred roasted red peppers, medium diced (4 ounces)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup chopped scallions (6 to 8 scallions)
- ¼ cup julienned fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
- juice of ½ lemon
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the couscous and reduce the heat to very low. Cover the pot and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until the couscous is just tender. Drain in a colander.
- Meanwhile, combine the tuna, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, capers, olives, red peppers, garlic, 1 tablespoon salt and 1-1/2 teaspoons black pepper in a large bowl. Pour the hot couscous into the mixture and stir well. Cover and set aside for 10 - 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, stir in the scallions, basil, juice of the ½ lemon, and 1 more teaspoon salt. Taste for seasonings and serve warm or at room temperature.
I would definitely love this! The expensive tuna is really worth it. And, I still have half a box of this couscous, so I must try this.
That looks so healthy and light for summer!
Must make it!!
xo Kris
This is an interesting recipe. Very pretty to look at.
I’m making plain ol tuna salad with eggs, pickle relish and mayo this week. Have had a craving for it.
Hum…wondering if I can use Trader Joe’s tuna packed in olive oil – think I’ll try it – thanks for the recipe!
This looks like an amazing salad. I don’t know if I can find Israeli couscous at my local store, maybe I can try to substitute another grain. Also I might try adding some sardines to the mix with the tuna. I can’t wait to try this salad served with fresh pita. Thanks for the post.
joybee83 recently posted..My 100th Post Recap
If you can’t find this couscous in your area you might try substituting quinoa or any very small pasta. I’m sure these substitutions would work just fine. Thank you for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Israeli Couscous & Tuna Salad
I love this! It just looks so great!
XO,
Sheila
Sheila recently posted..In Loving Memory Of Our First Godson…
I know exactly where you’re coming from, I hate those ‘off’ weeks, and I turn to Ina, too, when I need a sure fire recipe. Isn’t she the best? I do love this large couscous— and it photographs so well—I love that texture! I’m going to rummage through my cupboards and see if I have the ingredients!
Sue/the view from great island recently posted..Pasta Primavera Packets with Lemon Balsamic Glaze
Cathy I have 2 boxes of that couscous sitting in my pantry, I will definitely make this for my lunch, love everything about it! I’m happy you found a great store you love in your area!
Marie recently posted..Spring Vegetable Frittata with Brie
I should have known you would come to my rescue, even without my knowing it. We have had Israeli couscous as a side dish at our favorite restaurant a couple of times lately and I was going to Google a recipe and voila, here you are to the rescue. Merci.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Moroccan Chicken Stew
Oh baby…you just posted what I’ll be taking to the family gathering on Father’s Day! My DDILove is a vegetarian but still eats tuna. She & I will BOTH be happy with this one…it sounds delicious!
Thanks for all the great recipes you share, Cathy.
What’s this talk of moving?????
Rettabug recently posted..Remembrance Pendant
I don’t usually like pasta salads, but this is a cut above. I will be saving this and making it a lot, I’m sure.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Torta Della Nonna
I am still looking for Israeli Couscous..I love the larger grains..
Than k you for this recipe..it looks delicious!
Me too the off days:)
Monique recently posted..Pain Ordinaire? I don’t think so~
Looks like a very colorful and healthy salad Cathy! Have a great week:@)
Happier Than A Pig in Mud recently posted..Strawberry Banana Jam-Small Batch
Talk about my kind of salad, this is it. When it comes to trying something new and having it not work out, you’re in good company!
I haven’t had couscous in quite a while. Now, I only buy the Tuna packed in Olive Oil. This looks so yummy and great for summer. Thanks, Cathy!
~Judy
JG recently posted..What Happened to the Coffee Pot???
i have to admit that i repinned from someone today before even visiting your blog! i cannot WAIT to try this, i’m in real need of some good lunch ideas!
teresa recently posted..Clam Chowder
I keep hoping to find this kind of quality tuna. This is a beautiful salad– something my husband would dearly love to have. Pinning!
Foodiewife recently posted..French-Style Pot-Roasted Pork Loin (Enchaud Perigordine)
I love this recipe too Cathy. I blogged about it a few months back. You are right that it will serve a crowd. I plan on making it often this summer.
Penny recently posted..Grilled Flank Steak with Red Peppers and Gremolata Stuffing
Light, healthy yet very flavoursome and delicious.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Gluten Free Green Pea Muffins with Poppy and Mozzarella
I have never seen tuna like that, I will have to keep an eye out as this looks awesome.
Rhonda (@diningalone) recently posted..Hungry Girl Fancy Fish Foil Packet
I had not heard of Israeli couscous but i like the larger size of it – hadn’t heard of Italian tuna either. Since I like every flavor in this dish, I’m sure I’d love it.
Larry recently posted..Shrimp Fried Rice Ala Mary
Hi Cathy..try and listen to the song called 10 little French songs before Paris..
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/04/09/carla-brunis-little-french-songs-exclusive-first-listen/
Monique recently posted..Pain Ordinaire? I don’t think so~
Thank you so much for this link, Monique. I love Carla Bruni’s music and will put this album on my iPad so I can listen to it on my trip. And I’m going to share it with my daughter. It was so thoughtful of you to think of me.
Cathy recently posted..Israeli Couscous & Tuna Salad
It’s especially that particular song..10 little French songs:)
Monique recently posted..Korean Beef and Krafts~:)
I’m with you, Cathy, in loving Ina’s recipes. I’m so glad this recipe worked for you and I can’t wait to try it. It sounds like a perfect dish for Summer. I will look for the tuna that you found. Even though it was pricey, I often compare how much something would cost eating it at restaurant. Thanks for the tip on the dressing, too. I will look for the cookbook at my Costco, as I don’t have that one.
Kitty recently posted..Green Bean Bundles
I love Israeli Couscous and tuna so this is a win-win salad for me! It looks beautiful too.
Susan recently posted..Pea Gnocchi with Browned Butter Radishes
I prefer the larger Israeli couscous over the smaller variety. The smaller can tend to get a little mushy if you’re not careful. I feel your pain about everything not turning out… Have you seen my photos recently? I can’t take a decent food photo right now. Anyway, this is a must try. Thanks for the recipe.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Steak and Potato Omelet
I always love your photos, Lea Ann. But I do know how you feel. Some days I can’t get a good shot no matter what I do. It is so frustrating. I agree about the larger couscous. It’s what I will be using from now on. Thanks for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Israeli Couscous & Tuna Salad
Couscous isn’t something I usually have in the cupboard. All the ingredients do sound good though. Would be really nice for a potluck at church I do believe.
Marilyn recently posted..Nature with Monet
This sounds wonderful.
Hi Cathy, your couscous certainly looks very flavorful! I just made some using normal type of couscous and I think it is fabulous too!
Jeannie recently posted..Couscous with corn kernels and capsicums
What a very unusual recipe! I must try tghis appetizing looking dish certainly soon when the sun is coming over for lunch! It is still bad weather here! This would be so tasty at a lovely BBQ!
Sophie recently posted..Spiced Vegan Aubergine tomato stew, with spelt penne & organic spicy sausage bits!
This sounds great. I love Israeli cous cous!
It’s me again:)
I’ve misplaced your private email..could you send it to me please?
Would have a few questions:)?
Thank you..Monique
Monique recently posted..Korean Beef and Krafts~:)
This sounds so good. And, I love Ina.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon recently posted..Quick Pickles