Serves: 6

The name of this soup refers to a specific type of couscous called berkoukes. Israeli or pearl couscous are good substitutes.
Berkoukes soup is found in North Africa and in the Middle East.

• Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 lb boneless chicken, beef or lamb, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp tomato paste
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 can chickpeas, drained
2 small zucchini, diced
2/3 cup uncooked Israeli couscous
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped cilantro, to serve

• preparation

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent. Add meat, tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, coriander, ginger and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is lightly browned.

2. Add carrots and celery. Add 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, covered, for about one hour, until meat is cooked and beginning to become tender.

3. Add the chickpeas and zucchini. Cook for 20 minutes more, until zucchini is softened.

4. If you plan to serve the soup right away, add the couscous directly to the pot and cook according to package directions. If you prepare the soup ahead of time, save this step until just before serving, as the couscous will continue to absorb liquid.

5. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

Serves: 8

In Israel, the dish is called ptitim, which translates roughly from Hebrew to “little crumbles.” It was created by the Osem food company in the early 1950s at the behest of then prime minister David Ben-Gurion.

• Ingredients

¾ cups sliced almonds
3½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
4 sprigs fresh thyme
3 cups Israeli couscous
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
6 medium shallots, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

• preparation

Place the almonds in a small pan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.

Combine the broth and thyme in a medium pot set over high heat and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, turn heat to low, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and discard the thyme sprigs.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Add the shallots, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and browned, about 8 minutes. Add the cooked shallots, toasted almonds, and lemon juice to the couscous, drizzle with a little more olive oil, and toss to combine. Taste and season again with salt and pepper. Serve warm, topped with parsley.

By: Leah Koenig