Side DishLunchMain Course

Ptitim (Israeli Couscous)

Name: Ptitim (Israeli Couscous)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: israeli, middle_eastern
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 pcs yellow onion small, finely chopped; 2 clove garlic minced; 200 g ptitim; 400 ml vegetable broth; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground; 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (optional); 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed (optional)

A simple and versatile toasted pasta dish, often called Israeli couscous. The pasta is first toasted to develop a nutty flavor, then simmered in vegetable broth until tender and fluffy, making it a perfect side dish.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time: 28 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy

Mise en place

Ingredients

1 tbspolive oil
1 pcsyellow onion, small, finely chopped
2 clovegarlic, minced
200 gptitim
400 mlvegetable broth
0.5 tspsalt
0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground

garnish

2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped(optional)
1 tbsplemon juice, freshly squeezed(optional)

Equipment

saucepan · fork · knife · cutting_board

The method

Step by step

1
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan with a lid over medium heat.
About 1 min
2
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
About 4 min
Cook’s note: Cooking the onion slowly prevents it from browning and develops a sweeter flavor.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter.
4
Add the dry ptitim to the saucepan.
5
Toast the ptitim, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes until it turns a light golden brown and smells nutty.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: Toasting is the key step for developing the characteristic nutty flavor of this dish.
6
Carefully pour in the vegetable broth, then add the salt and black pepper, and stir to combine.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: The pot will be hot, so expect some steam when adding the liquid.
7
Bring the liquid to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low.
About 2 min
8
Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Avoid lifting the lid while it simmers to keep the steam trapped inside.
9
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for 5 minutes.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: This resting period allows the ptitim to steam and become perfectly tender.
10
Uncover the saucepan and fluff the ptitim gently with a fork.
About 1 min
11
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and optional lemon juice just before serving.
Cook’s note: Adding fresh herbs and acid at the end brightens up the flavors.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.