Ptitim with vegetables
Ptitim: Israeli toasted pearl couscous with courgette, peppers and peas
Ptitim was invented in Israel in the 1950s, when rice was scarce and the Osem factory was asked to make a wheat substitute; the little toasted pasta pearls soon became the dish every Israeli child grew up on. In homes from Haifa to Be'er Sheva it is cooked like a pilaf, first toasted in oil until nutty, then simmered in stock until plump and chewy. This version folds in courgette, red pepper and peas for a quick weeknight dinner or lunchbox side. Chef's tip: toast the dry ptitim until it smells like popcorn and turns light gold; it gives a much nuttier flavour than boiling it like pasta.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a wide saucepan over a medium heat. Fry 1 onion for 4 minutes until soft and translucent, then add 2 cloves garlic for 30 seconds.
5 minStep 2: Add 9 oz ptitim (Israeli pearl couscous) and stir for 3 minutes until most pearls are light golden and smell toasty. Stir in 1 tsp sweet paprika for a few seconds.
3 minStep 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable stock (it will hiss), add 1 red pepper and 1 courgette, bring to the boil, then cover and simmer over a low heat for 8 minutes.
8 minStep 4: Stir in 3 ½ oz frozen peas and ½ tsp salt, cover and cook 2 minutes more, until the stock is absorbed and the ptitim is plump and tender with a slight chew. Common mistake: too much liquid and too long a simmer, which turns ptitim into sticky porridge; it should stay in separate pearls.
2 minStep 5: Fluff with a fork, stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley and serve warm.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbs
- 58 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ptitim with vegetables take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 8 minutes to prepare and 17 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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