You know those mornings when you:
wake up in a panic because you forgot to send an important email…
and wait! you only slept five hours! where did all of these zits come from!? like… seriously.
and the coffee line is surprisingly short, but you spill coffee on your shoes because you’re an absolute bonehead.
and technology is confusing.
but cookies are totally not confusing so you eat like, thirty of them.
and it would be awesome if you could just stay home and hide from things… but the world keeps on spinning… and you keep spilling things… and emails keep coming… and seriously with the text messages!?
You know those days?
when work feels suffocating. and it’s 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and you’re still trying to pull something out of your day. well… something besides cookies.
I had that day yesterday. I just couldn’t turn things right. It was like slow motion falling, all day long.
It’s ok. It really is. Some days are just funktown.
What turns around these days?
Buying your best friend cupcakes for her birthday. Yes. Buying!!! I already told you it was a rough day! Geez! Sometimes bakers buy cupcakes. That’s real life!
Buy cupcakes. Light candles. Pet a fluffy sweet dog named Willy. Sing Happy Birthday to Miss (dirty 30) Whitney.
Doing nice things for other people totally helps me out of a funky day funk. It feels good. Making other people happy is the best distraction there is! Truly.
Buy cupcakes if you have to. Eat cookies if things get weird. Do good things for other people. Also… try couscous for lunch. It’ll totally counteract all of the cookies you ate for breakfast, and the cupcakes you’re about to eat after pizzadinner. Pizzadinner is totally a word.
Israeli couscous is a toasted pasta shaped like little balls. It’s different from traditional couscous, in that it’s much larger, really holds it’s shape, and doesn’t clump together. Tiny pasta balls. Like tapioca, but more pasta-y.
I love to turn this couscous into a salad.
I had a theme this go-round. I wanted everything to be green.
Snap peas. Raw. Sliced. Crisp. Pretty.
Maybe you want to try asparagus? Go for it!!
Green onions and green parsley. I’m really into parsley.
Maybe you want to try basil and oregano? Heck yes!
Big chunks of cucumber too!
What? You want to use roasted zucchini!? Why didn’t I think of that?
And lemon. Lemon should go into everything.
I toss it all together with lemon juice and olive oil. Salt and coarse pepper for days.
Feta cheese too… because come on! Don’t be dumb.
I thought toasted pistachios were a nice touch too. They’re green. I love a theme.
Feel free to play around with the ingredients.
This is just a simple little ditty for a ditty of a day.
Green Israeli Couscous Salad
four small or two large servings
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups dry Israeli Couscous
generous pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups sliced snap peas
1 English cucumber, cut into chunks
1/3 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup roasted and salted pistachios
salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste
about 3 tablespoons olive oil
about 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
In a medium saucepan, bring three cups of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt, followed by Israeli couscous. Stir and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until couscous is just tender, with a slight bite, about 10 to 13 minutes.
Drain into a fine mesh strainer and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Toss cooled couscous with the rest of the ingredients. Taste and add more salt and pepper as necessary.
Yea… it’s that easy! Cook couscous and toss it with veggies, herbs, cheese, lemon and olive oil.
Ayset
It seems like Turkish couscous that our relatives lived in countryside prepared ( ? mean dried couscous) at home for winter and they used to send us .It was more delicious than commercialised ones.
Shannon
Made this on Saturday night – paired nicely with moose dip sandwiches. Yes, that’s like a French (beef) dip but made with moose. Northern BC local eatin’. My guests loved the pistachios – very exotic! Thanks :)
Cara
I searched “salad” on your blog the other day, and decided to make this tonight in order to combat all of the butter/sugar/salt I’ve been shoveling lately! (‘Tis the season.) It was delicious! And now I can eat more cranberry/ginger scones. Love your blog and your podcast with Tracy.
Amanda G
Mmmmmm this looks delicious! I think I am going to try it out soon.
Vanessa
Fav line from this post: “Feta cheese too… because come on! Don’t be dumb.”
Holly
This is my favorite salad. If this is something you just threw together, you are a genius! The crunch from the peas and cucumber along with the tang of the feta and saltiness of the pistachios is perfect with that hint of lemon. It’s perfect for a hot summer day.
Trene
Joy! this was so urgent I had to comment IMMEDIATELY!!! I just finished devouring half – yes HALF – of this couscous. I made it as per the above recipe, to a T. I used wheat pearl couscous so it wasn’t as pretty =( . However, I splurged on some pistachios and laid a sexxxaay filet of balsamic lemon salmon over that bad boy. It was all that and a bag of beautiful Italian parsley ;)
THANKS!
Vanessa Fortine
Added dill, about 1/4 tsp. and it was even better! Love this salad!
Morgan
just tried this out and it was delicious! trader joe’s has this great little mix called “harvest grain blend” that is mostly israeli couscous but also a little bit of dried chickpea, orzo, and red quinoa. all in all, it made for a deliciously light dinner.
The Dainty Dot
We’ve found whole grain Israeli couscous in the local Syrian store. It’s perfect – much better than the puny stuff. What do we do with it? Mango couscous – I’ve got that recipe around here somewhere … look for it on my blog soon. The secret? A sneaky jalapeno.
Rachel K
This sounds fabulous. I love “fat couscous” and am always looking for new ways with it. BTW it’s very good with lemon and chilli sauce!
Monique
Joy you are a GENIUS!!! It’s so simple, and so awesome, and so pretty. I can’t wait to make it!
Anat
well, as an Israeli, first of all that looks great!
and second of all, this “couscous” is called here in Hebrew ptitim
and I love ptitim.not like they make in the army.eww.the one my mom makes..boy i’d love some right now.lol.
have a happy happy day!
Cookie and Kate
YUM. I have some Israeli couscous in my pantry that’s lookin’ lonesome. I can’t wait to try it with tons of raw veggies and herbs.
P.s. I listened to two of your podcasts on my drive to a chef knife skills class last night. Got a few good laughs in along the way!
Laura
This is fantastic. I made this for a friend’s BBQ, replacing the Israeli couscous with quinoa because it’s what I had. It was a huge hit, and I received several requests for the recipe. Thanks for posting!
Seanna Lea
My husband calls me a lemon demon, because you are right. Lemon should go in everything. I would marry lemon curd if it wouldn’t be illegal.
Yo
Nice! This looks like a large couscous grain.
sarah
I found the couscous (it was star-shaped!) and I made the salad last night. I loved it. My boyfriend also loved it. And we have enough to both take the rest to work for lunch today. Brilliant! Thanks Joy – you’re a star! xoxo
Charis
That looks healthy AND delicious!!
a little chef
Israeli couscous rocks. It has such an awesome texture – roly-poly goodness – that just deeeelights the tongue.
Brian @ A Thought For Food
I always have to explain to people what Israeli couscous is. And, while I like the smaller kind, the Israeli varietal is a bit more satisfying. Beautiful salad, darling! Will have to give it a try. And I do know what those days are like. It usually happens to me when it’s blizzarding out.
Erika
Awesome post! All last week I felt as if the universe was conspiring against me (which is probably why my shopping cart was full of chocolate, caramel and Oreos Friday night). It is good to know that I was not alone. Thanks!
anna
very intrigued by giant couscous! salad looks amazing. sorry your day was funktown, but you’ve inspired me to enjoy pizzadinner more often! also love reading your recipes – they are the most fun to read recipes ever.
miri leigh
This is a PERFECT summer dish. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Shelby @ Lady Gouda
What a gorgeous couscous salad! I have been on a pasta salad binge for the last few weeks- it is so easy to make a big pot and dole it out for my daily brown bag lunch. However, I am in a bit of a rut, and seem to be making pretty much the same thing over and over again. This recipe was exactly what I needed to jumpstart my brain. Instead of pasta, israeli couscous! Instead of trying to get a wide range of colors, change things up by picking a theme! Love it.
Melissa Vanni
This is beautiful Joy. I totally have those days too. :)
ginny lee
sometimes Israeli couscous is for great days too, like when your friend gives you a tagine for your birthday and you make lamb tagine with couscous…then it’s ok if you have Magnum bars for dessert
Roxana
YUM! I love Israeli couscous! I will have to try your version, it looks delicious!
I like to put roasted peppers in mine, and drizzle it with olive oil, and eat it with a dollop of hummus or cucumber mint yogurt. YUM.
Lorena I.
Love everything about your beautiful blog, I guess it’s the reflection of a beautiful person, in every sense of the word. Love your words (you always make me laugh) and love your recipes!!
You’re an inspiration and I thank you for that.
Besos from my little corner of the world :)
Lucia
Yesterday it was one of those days for me too. I didn’t have cookies, so I couldn’t eat thirty of them. But I tasted a perfect green apple mojito while it was pouring outside. It was night, and the stars didn’t shine. But mojito was great. P.S. I looove the Israeli couscous. try it with pomegranate grains, it’s gorgeous.
michelle
What a perfect summer salad! I can’t wait for someone to invite me to a bbq so I can bring this.
Joel
Genius and hilarious as always! Looks delicious. I’ll have to make some soon.
Cucina Italiana
Ok, so I’m part Italian and part English, living in one of those ‘leafy’ English Shire Counties… There’s my excuse.
The reason I need an excuse? Well, is Israeli cous-cous the same as Moghrabieh?
See? Told you I needed an excuse!!!
Noura
Kind of! Moghrabieh is a yummy stew that has maftoul (which is called Israeli couscous in the US), chicken, humus beans and lots of spices.
Orit
Here in Israel we make the couscous (Ptitim) in a slightly different (and faster) way:
put a little bit of olive oil ad the couscous in a saucepan, mix so the couscous is covered with the oil and add boiling water (2 cups for every 1 cup couscous, just like you did) and spices. Once it boils, lower the heat and cover. Leave for exactly 6 minutes, turn heat off and keep covered for 5 minutes. And that’s it. There should be no liquid left in the saucepan. Works every time.
And it is such a comfort food perfect for the not-so-great day.
I will try your recipe today ;)
Shauna
Joy, this post made my birthday a little brighter. Sometimes you just have to buy cupcakes : )
Molly
I know those days. I had cookies for dinner. Funktown is a good word for it!
Emily Rose
I ate chocolate covered pretzels for breakfast. Store bought. One of those days.
sheila @ Elements
Sorry ’bout your day, Joy, but giving those yummy cupcakes to your friend and making this salad certainly are two very bright spots!
Your salad looks totally scrumptious, and I’ll look for the Israeli couscous at the store when I go on Monday. I adore fresh parsley and snow peas, and I’m hardly waiting to make this! :) Thanks a bunch for sharing the recipe and hope you have a much better tomorrow! :)
elana from Israel
Thank you for that… come to visit us in Israel we have great food!!!
One in a Brazilian
I like the idea of doing something nice for someone else to get out of a funk. I will use that tip next time I need it, Joy the Baker.
And, by the way, nice touch with the pistachios. Or as my son would say, goo job.
Emmy
let me tell you it is NOT just you, and it’s not just this day either i’m afraid…it seems this entire week is just nuts. i’m glad to see it go. is it a full moon or something? it’s been such a wacked out week i’ve been too busy to notice the moon apparently…
Kat @ Cupcake Kat
I hate days like that! But cookies always help. This dish looks great. I’ve never tried Israeli couscous but now I want to
Liat
Must say that as an Israeli’ it’s the first time I see someone calling this thing “Israeli Couscous”…We just call it “Ptitim”, which means “Flakes” and it is actually pasta, small pasta balls, unlike couscous that is made of Semolina.
Thanks you for the recipe! it looks great. I leave in Canada now and sure hope I find them here and make it.
joythebaker
i know! it’s so strange that it’s called Israeli couscous everywhere but Israel. and yes.. it’s pasta. i dunno…. someone invented a weird name for this.
Noura
Yeah…it’s funny because it’s not couscous either. Palestinians call it maftoul—my mother-in-law taught me how to make it by hand last time I was in Palestine! It’s really good as a substitute for rice, too. We cook it in a big pot with chicken or meat and veggies like carrots and cauliflower.
Katie
I think every time I look at one of your posts, I can’t help but admire your dishes. The cute little ramekin, the festive plate, the patterned tablecloth. I’m not sure I would have had the courage to combine them all, but they look great together. And the salad looks delicious too, and so fresh.
joanne stefanacci
Oh no, Joy. I am sad. How can you do this to me? No gorgeous, gooey super-indulgent baked good? Or beverage? Fresh? And green? Ohhhh.
joythebaker
seriously?
Anne
Wow, looks terribly yum-town. Actually, I feel sure that Israeli couscous could be a great breakfast item too! Throw some fruit in there and who knows what might happen? Oooh, or make a savory version. Oh yeaaahhh. :)
Sasha (Global Table Adventure)
That was my day today! Thanks for the smiles. I’m totally ready for a fancy schmancy pizzadinner. I’ll even tuck my napkin in my shirt.
Jennifer Elle
That looks totally yummy! Kind of reminds me of tabouli, which I absolutely love. I bet this would taste great with hummus.
Stephanie
Making other people happy will make you happy as a by-product. So true! I’m really glad your you-know-whatty day turned out so nice after all.
I’ve been wanting to try Israeli Couscous, your salad looks wonderful!
Liz
I have been eating cookies nonstop since Monday. And the end is not in sight. They really do seem to be the best solution to most problems.
Frederike
Oh this story made me laugh out loud. Those days just happen.. The other day I was having one of those days too.. I found some time to rest on a bench in a park with a sandwich (starving/and just craving food) when a pigeon dropped his ‘you know what’ right on my face..
I just laughed, went home to clean my face and bought myself frozen yoghurt on the way back.. Food can heal..
I really like your recipe, now I just have to find that special couscous.. Probably a real adventure here in the Netherlands!
Em
I’ve had those days. And weeks. Only, I never have cookies around, so I end up eating a jar of white chocolate peanut butter, since that’s not too confusing either. I recommend it. I do have Israeli couscous though, so this salad might be in my future.
Also, was yesterday Whitney’s actual birthday? If so, she and I share a birthday. (Either way, I hope it was super.) And cupcakes from a store/bakery (‘handpurchased’) are totally awesome. At least more awesome than the accounting exam I got, which didn’t have candles or sprinkles or anything.
Sarah McD
I’m now on a quest to find Israeli couscous (or Ptitim.) Because I need this salad in my life. And my entire future. Except instead of parsley I want handfuls and handfuls of cilantro. And some bell pepper too.
Lisanne
“Feta cheese too… because come on! Don’t be dumb” This seals it. You are kind of really awesome.
Glo
Such beautiful illustrations that I MUST try this! A picture is worth a thousand words, and these are no exception. So I will do at least one good deed today for my special friend who needs cheering up. It’s the best cure for my baking spirit. Aloha!
The Café Sucré Farine
This is so……. pretty and it looks delicious! Would be just great for a picnic on the beach with a yummy sandwich!
Kocinera
“It was like slow motion falling, all day long.”
hehehe You put it so perfectly, Joy. I can definitely sympathize with your rough day. But I really like your solutions–especially the vibrant, green, Israeli couscous bit. I’ve never seen snow peas sliced up all cool like that! Love it!
Jessie
Thanks for the reminder to do nice things for people. I shouldn’t have to be reminded but well, I do. :) I’ve been in funktown since my dear friend up and moved away. The nerve of her! Just did my grocery shopping for the week…guess this goes to next week!
Marisa
YUM! Looks refreshing, tasty, … other superlatives that are otherwise not coming to mind! Agree with Gen regarding the white wine!!
Kalyn
It looks delicious. I just bought a big jar of whole wheat Israeli couscous and I’m looking forward to experimenting with it. (Know what you mean about those days.)
Gen
I didn’t know about this kind of couscous, it looks really good! Green and all, must be great with a glass of white wine ^^
Katie
I totally had one of those days earlier this week. And I totes ate cookies for breakfast…and dinner. And it helped a little.
Kerry
This post made me smile. I’m definitely having one of those days and it’s not even noon yet! I love that you bought cupcakes for someone else. I might have to do this today and just start showing on people’s doorsteps with cupcakes. Hope today is less funktown for you, Joy!
kellie
joy,
let’s just say this post totally made me smile.
best line? oh yes, yes it is:
Feta cheese too… because come on! Don’t be dumb.
because seriously, who wouldn’t want feta on that?!?
i needed a pick me up this morning and a fabulous couscous recipe and your blog did the trick!
thank you!
xoxo
Maggie
Ahh bizarre, my day was also terrible! Luckily, it was also filled with donuts, chocolates, and cake, so all in all, not so bad? My most recent way to cheer myself up is to watch the movie Mamma Mia with Meryl Streep. When I’m feeling down I just laugh and cry and sing to that movie and by the end of it things are looking a lot better! And how can you say no to listening to Pierce Brosnan (aka James Bond of all people) try to sing? Priceless and adorable!
sydney
AMAZING!
pizzadinner is not only a word, its a thing. fact.
Sarah
hmm, lark cupcakes no less… I don’t think you can go wrong there. I am currently having the kind of day where I each chocolate for breakfast.
Margaret
Hey Joy,
Hope it’s ok that this is totally not about coucous salad… I was looking for the raspberry oatmeal scone recipe with fresh nutmeg and noticed it’s no longer on your blog or in your index. Is there any way to get it emailed? I totally love them, but always just look at the site and never wrote it down – (bad me). Wanted to try it with these grapes we have… I’m sure I can try another recipe, too, since you have so many tasty ones!
Thanks! M
Betsy
The magic of google:
http://sites.google.com/site/joythebakerrecipes/oatmeal-raspberry-scones
Margaret
Thanks Betsy! :D
meg
I love anything round and edible. It makes me smile. And Israeli couscous sort of bridges the gap between couscous and tapioca. Even better.
la domestique
Sorry you had a rough day…the beauty of life is that every day is a new day! Hooray for a new day! The couscous salad looks delish, totally getting me excited cuz next week is couscous week at la domestique!
Manja
Ooooh….this looks awesome! I love regular couscous, but I would probably love this even more, it looks super yummy! I guess I just now have to go on a quest for Israeli Couscous. I have no idea where to find it here in the Netherlands and no idea what it is called in Dutch (esp. since I am not Dutch), but whatever! I will succeed!
P.S.: Cookies are my comfort food on crappy days, too.
Urban Wife
So glad your day got better and this salad looks to die for! Loving all the green in it.
homegrown countrygirl
I like green things! And I love, love, love reading your posts!!! Always a treat!
Adam
My Monday this week was exactly like that, everything I did that day, no matter what it was, was wrong in some way. Unfortunately, I really didn’t have a metaphorical cupcake to buy, what made it better was the train ride home :).
Katrina
Aww so yummy looking. Love Israeli couscous!
Hannah at FleurDeLicious
This looks fantastic! I love the texture of Israeli couscous, and this could be a great refreshing dinner for us in 110 degree Texas. Yum yum yum, thanks for the idea :)
Alexis
oh, the days of eating your feelings. i know those days all too well. and adding insult to injury with the zits? totally unfair. weren’t we 14 like, 100 years ago?? hope today is better for you!
Cyndi B
I usually do Quinoa salads but this would be a lovely alternative! I love that you kept it all green & all raw! YUM! Thank you. ;o)
Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes
This is such a fantastic salad, Joy!
I love it. I love the theme. I love the pretty. I love the flavors.
Thank you for the recipe and posting goodness!!!
lynn @ the actor's diet
i adore the shape of israeli couscous!
Blog is the New Black
LOVE couscous. This looks awesome!
Olga
hi Joy!
I read your blog for a while now, but it’s the first time I comment here. And where did this sudden urge come from? Well, I am from Israel. And I just have to say that our Couscous doesn’t look anything like yours… That’s fascinating how these things transform completely once they cross some borders!
See a more representative example here – http://fromnyfood.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post.html
What you made seems more like what we call here “ptitim” – ?????? (just google the hebrew version, the link is too long).
Other than that, the salad seems superb! (As the rest of the blog, too :)) thanks!
Olga
ok, so now I know your blog doesn’t read Hebew. here’s a link to wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptitim
joythebaker
I know your couscous doesn’t look like this in Israel… That’s just what we call it here.
Olga
wow, that’s new to me! thanks! (and please accept my apologies about the correction :))
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
I love how brightening someone’s day INSTANTLY makes my day better…. Ah, those funktown days. HA! Love what you call them!
Jenna R.
Oh, Joy…you make me laugh :)
Hope your weekend is better…and fantastic!
Naama
Israeli couscous – YEY! Your Israeli fans adore you for that (well, at least one of them…).
By the way, we call them “Ptitim” in Israel, which means “flakes”. They also come in other shapes like rice and little stars (LOVE the stars!). They even had a special addition of tiny hearts!
Thanks for another great recipe.
joythebaker
Yay! I thought about calling it Green Ptitim Salad, but only a few would know what I’m talking about.
Kasey
We heart you, Joy. To Funktown and back. For real.
Kick that day in the shins.
Carly
Speaking of cookies, I love, love LOVE your brown butter chocolate chip cookie recipe you posted. I made it last weekend and made them into ice cream sandwiches–awesome. And I’m making them again tomorrow for a family reunion. Thanks, Joy! Hope your weekend isn’t funktown.
Megan
Ooh I love Israeli cous cous, and a green theme.
I’m glad your day got better!
Oh, and I’m good at spilling. Last week I spilled tea in my shoe! IN my shoe! How does one do that?
Celeste
Dear Joy-
I spent the entire day yesterday laughing my face off at your podcasts. We should be friends. Before I start to sound like a total creeper, I’ll just say what I came to say. My grandpa, whom I never had the pleasure of knowing as her died very young, had a little saying that if we were friends I might cross stitch & give to you. You know, cuz cross stitches are so very in vogue. Anyway, here ya go. You ready?
“Whenever you’re sad, whenever you’re blue,
Do something for someone who’s bluer than you!”
How cute is he? Anyway, Happy Birthday Whitney! And I hope today goes better.
joythebaker
LOVE! Please cross stitch this! Please!
Susie Q
I just want to tell you I have a cure for yesterday that doesn’t involve cupcakes! But hey, who am I to argue… maybe you can soak a cupcake in them?
Key Lime Martinis rimmed in graham grackers! Doesn’t that just sound like a joy-ful summer Friday in a glass??? Please make it for me, and share pictures since I can’t because I’m living in renovation hell and my life is in a box right now! Okay, it’s in 147 boxes right now! And smile after three of them as you say “Yesterday? What happened yesterday?” (And you’re welcome for the “joy-ful” pun!)
PS The recipe I have from Emeril insists on Keke Beach key lime liqueur so that’s the only one I’ve tried!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
I love Israeli couscous. One of my favorite sides. I’ve never thought to turn it into the whole meal. I like where your head’s at!
christyb
now I know how I’m gonna use the sugar snaps from the CSA! (and that goat cheese sitting in my fridge!) cupcakes and cookies may or may not be in my future…
thx for sharing!
Katya Simkhovich
You’re not alone. We had a break-in scare yesterday and on top of that I got into my first car accident – luckily it was a one car accident but it still made me feel incredibly stoopid and embarrassed as I sat on the side of the road with an orange construction thing lodged between my busted wheel and the curb. Not a good day. I can see how some cupcakes would have helped. I plan on making myself feel better by baking cookies – here’s to stuffing our faces with cookies to deal with reality.
Sarah
You just described my day yesterday. Even down to the cupcakes, although I bought mine online for my sister because she lives in England and I live in France, so posting home baked ones could be messy. Anyway, it seems to me that Israeli couscous could be the way forward in the face of adversity, so I’m going to try and find some, although it might not be that easy to find in France. Maybe quinoa could be a good substitute?? Hmmm….
Anyway, Joy, thanks for sharing your recipes and your wonderful humour. You brighten my day :-)
Lisa D.
So glad I’m not the only one eating cookies for breakfast. Only I have four kids, so I have to be sneaky about my cookie (or brownie, or chocolate cake) breakfast, because the whole “Do as I say, not as I do” works a lot better if they just don’t see the “as I do” part :)
I will have to look for Israeli couscous. I’ve never seen it, but I live in a very small town. I have a thing for parsley too lately. In chimichurri sauce. I’ve developped a serious addiction, and I have it with almost everything I can. I would totally have it with Israeli couscous. If I find some.
Kat
I totally had a funkadelic/pizzadinner/bakery-bought cupcake day yesterday. Like, exactly. If any of you readers are in Denver, I went to Happy Cakes Bakeshop, the hands-down best cupcake place in the city (rootbeer float and pina colada cupcakes yesterday!).
Anyway. I also made quinoa salad. Today will be better. Thanks for making it bright!
Hannah
Joy, I am so with you on having one of those days – yesterday I was woken at some early hour by a text, looked in the mirror to see a face covered in spots, then I ate coffee cake for breakfast – because it simply made sense. Then a friend brought round fresh garden peas, runner beans & homegrown onion from her garden, giving me the perfect ingredients for a healthy lunch to counteract the coffee cake (and cookies that I was to eat later that day). Today as I was walking home with a box of 240 white chocolate cigarollos, the heavens opened & drenched me & my huge box of chocolate, so seeing your recipe when I got home, it made perfect sense to throw together a lunch like this – delicious & healthy & the perfect remedy to the wet British Summer : )
Thankyou for your constant inspiration!
Christine@ beansbakehouse.com
My mom n I made this yesterdAy! used rice wine vinegar, MINT (YuM!), mandarin oranges chopped, dried cranberries chopped, scallions & goat cheese woohoo! I love israeli couscous but my dad once called Israeli couscous fish eggs & that made me sad.
Love joy the baker & podcasts have been awesome :-)
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
I agree, “making other people happy IS the best distraction there is”. Sorry you had a bad day yesterday. I hope today’s better. At least a bee didn’t fly down your shirt that you had to rip off. ;-)
Israeli couscous is the BOMB and made into a healthy lunch…Well, Joy, you’ve done it again. Thanks for sharing!
caro
having a day like that too day – glad Im not the only one
@ kitchenvoyage Panzers
13-19 Circus road, St John’s wood (02077221496)
kmarie
couscous is great, but israeli couscous is like couscous x4 or some exponentially increased tasty factor thingy. so thanks, joy, for coming up with something extra delicious to do with it. your podcast is the best. i listen to it while i’m working and it makes work more fun (x4- like the israeli couscous!)
Elizabeth
I love your site. The salad looks delicious, and happy birthday Whitney!
Joline
OMG I am making this tonight! Thanks so much for the idea. My BF is OBSESSED with Israeli couscous and I know that this salad will really knock his socks off! You are the best! Hope today is better than your yesterday!
Michele
That sounds so good!
A Plum By Any Other Name
“Eat cookies if things get weird.” Ha! Sorry you had such a rotten day. Great use of couscous … it balances out the cookies and the cupcakes quite nicely. (I’m sure bourbon would help too.) ;)
jenny
“Feta cheese too… because come on! Don’t be dumb.” haha. joy, you always make my day. and yes, I’m totally making this. I love a theme, too–especially when it involves yummy veggies. :)
Sarah
I love this post. I’ve been having this type of day for like two weeks! The only thing that has made me feel like a normal accomplished person has been baking two loaves of fantastic bread- and reading your blog. And perhaps telling my sister how much I appreciate her throwing a bacherolette party for me. Thanks again Joy for the post!!
kitchenvoyage
Somebody knows where i can find israili cous-cous in England (London or East Sussex) Thnaks, Nice looking recipe
Kathryn
I think you can buy it in Waitrose/Ocado from Merchant Gourmet – it’s called Giant Couscous but I think it’s the same thing.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
So glad I’m not the only one buying from bakeries still:-)
I have had that kind of day way too many times!
sofia
ha, this is great. totally agree that doing something for others AND eating cookies turns around any bad day. and that Israeli couscous is awesome. yum. i want to eat this!
Juan
Limes are green, lemons are not. tsk tsk
:)
Baking Holly
I LOVE this!! So pretty, so yummy, hip hip hooray!
peachkins
yumyumyum!
Kathryn
I have a feeling that today is going to be one of those days. I should do something nice for someone. You can never do enough nice things. This salad could definitely become a lunchtime staple for me. Anything with feta in makes me swoon. Thanks Joy.
Jenny
I’ve never seen Israeli couscous before but it looks delicious. The couscous I’m used to is very small but these look like plump little beads. I can’t wait to go out and buy some now!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
I did a whole POST on fresh raw sugar snap peas yesterday. I LOVE THEM!
your salad looks splendid!
And boy, do I EVER know those days where not even at 4pm but at 2am, I am still awake, still trying to pull something out of my day…b/c everything that happened was just a series of busywork but not much actually getting accomplished.
That’s when cookies and chocolate come in real handy :)
Maris(In Good Taste)
I could so see myself having this for lunch or dinner or even breakfast. Looks delicious and healthy too. My mom would so have a birthday picnic for her dog!
Maureen
I bought some Israeli couscous this morning and I was wondering how I was going to use it. This looks delicious!