Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus
This lemony Israeli couscous salad combines tender pearl couscous and asparagus with sliced shallot, olive oil, and bright lemon zest and juice. Fresh, lightly citrusy flavors make it a fitting choice for a spring lunch or a side dish alongside grilled meats.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves2
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 54 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 12 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 92 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 91
- Heart Health
- 45
- Metabolic
- 60
- Digestive
- 43
- Inflammatory
- 44
- Performance
- 64
- General Wellness
- 1
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add Israeli couscous. Toast the couscous until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Slowly pour in boiling water. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low; simmer until the couscous is tender and the water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- 2
Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until starting to soften, about 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the asparagus and salt; sauté until the asparagus is tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
- 3
Stir lemon zest into the asparagus in the last few minutes of cooking. Add cooked couscous and toss with the asparagus mixture. Stir in lemon juice. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
- 4
Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low; simmer until the couscous is tender and the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
- 5
Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- 6
Add the shallot and cook until it begins to soften, about 1 minute.
- 7
Increase the heat to medium-high.
- 8
Add the asparagus and a pinch of salt; sauté until the asparagus is tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
- 9
Stir the lemon zest into the asparagus during the last few minutes of cooking.
- 10
Add the cooked couscous and toss with the asparagus mixture.
- 11
Stir in the lemon juice.
- 12
Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Calories 509.38 kcal High 25%
- Protein 16.82 g Good Source 34%
- Carbohydrate 90.85 g 33%
- Total Fat 10.66 g Moderate 14%
- Saturated Fat 1.47 g Moderate 7%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 0.0 mg Low Source 0%
- Sodium 16.98 mg Low Source 1%
- Dietary Fiber 17.1 g Good Source 61%
- Total Sugars 15.4 g --
- Added Sugars 7.45 g Moderate 15%
- Calcium 90.23 mg Low Source 7%
- Iron 6.55 mg Good Source 36%
- Potassium 705.52 mg Moderate 15%
- Vitamin A 86.28 mcg Low Source 10%
- Vitamin C 41.87 mg Good Source 47%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus is made with 10 ingredients and serves 2. It takes about 35 mins and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Asparagus, Black Pepper, Couscous, and Lemon. Each serving provides about 509.38 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus made of?
- The main ingredients are Asparagus, Black Pepper, Couscous, Lemon, Olive Oil. The full list of 10 is above.
- How long does it take to make Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus?
- About 35 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 509.38 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 10 ingredients and 12 steps.
- Is Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus healthy?
- Bright Lemon Israeli Couscous with Asparagus has an easyChef Pro health score of 51/100. Per serving, it provides 509.38 calories and 16.82 g of protein, or 34% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber, iron and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: saturated fat at 1.47 g (7% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 7.45 g (15% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Wheat, Gluten and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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