Israeli Couscous and Kale Stew
A hearty and healthy vegetarian stew that is chalked full of healthful ingredients: Israeli Couscous and Kale Stew to warm your belly and fill you soul.
Hi! And happy belated New Year. I’m so sorry that I went MIA unannounced these past two weeks. I have nothing to say for myself except that it just sort of happened. Between the kids being out of school, all the holiday happenings, getting a 7 week old puppy, cooking for some of my long time clients, battling a head cold, and trying to fit in a little snowboarding, I’ve barely had time to take a shower and do a load of laundry. I’ve been cooking plenty, alright, it’s just been for my family and clients. Sorry to neglect you guys and I promise to make it up to you with all new amazing recipes and an overload of pictures of our new pup!
So let’s cut right to the chase. Meet Nacho! She’s a Weimaraner-Chocolate Lab Mix. At just 8 weeks old, she has turned into a full blown nipper and snipper. No shoes are safe and she seems to have a hankering for my robe and any other soft piece of clothing she finds on the floor. She’s almost sleeping through the night and if you count peeing all over the front porch and the occasional poop on the carpet, she’s practically potty trained. I forgot how much work having a puppy is! It’s all worth it though the second she climbs into your nap and snugs in for a good long nap. I’m a sucker for puppy breath and her eyes melt me every time I look at her. Be prepared for puppy pic overload these next few months!
So what’s new with all of you? Did you all have a great holiday? I hope so. The break was much needed and I was kind of sad to take my boys to school this morning. (No really, I was.) We stuck close to home because of the new addition and spent a good amount of time snowboarding and time on the couch watching family movies. I did catch a nasty head cold the day after Christmas that knocked me out for a few days. I watched two full seasons of Homeland. In one word: addicted. I hate that it took getting sick to force me to slow down and take care of myself. I’m going into the new year with a renewed focus on taking care of myself. I suggest you do the same!
So speaking of taking care of ourselves, let’s parlay into this soup! It’s loaded with healing properties and homemade love. It was the perfect antidote to my head cold. I used some of my homemade slow cooker turkey stock that I had stashed in the freezer, tomatoes that I canned over the summer, and used local carrots, garlic, kale and onion that I picked up at the winters farmer market a few weeks ago. The soup is spiced with cumin and turmeric- both great antioxidants and the couscous adds texture and some heartiness to fill your belly. I thought for sure my kids wouldn’t eat this but would you believe my older one devoured it? And by devour I mean he picked out all the kale and inhaled what was left. (It’s a start, it’s a start.) The little one not so much…
Thanks for sticking around while I took a mini-sabbatical and I’m looking forward to all the good things that 2015 is sure to bring! Stay healthy. xo, Kelley
PrintIsraeli Couscous and Kale Stew
Yield: 6 servings 1x
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A hearty vegetarian soup with Israeli couscous and kale.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 6 cups stock (could use vegetable, turkey or chicken)
- 28 oz whole tomatoes
- 2 cups finely chopped kale (about 1 small bunch)
- 3/4 cup Israeli couscous
- salt and pepper
- plain yogurt and chopped cilantro for serving
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and carrot and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes until vegetables are soft and start to caramelize. Add garlic, cumin and turmeric. Cook for 2 minutes more.
- Add stock and tomatoes, using your hand to bread up the whole tomatoes and gently crush them. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add kale and couscous and cook 12-15 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately and top soup with a dollop of plain yogurt and fresh chopped cilantro.
12 Comments
Israeli couscous is one of my secret ingredients – I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing and happy new year.
PS – We took 2 unplanned weeks off in December too – nothing to feel bad about. It is good to recharge.
Happy New Year! I took the past two weeks easy too, and wow, what a game changer. And look at those photos! My god woman, they’re gorgeous! And adorable of the pup and the slurper, natch. We’re in the same vein today with the hearty soup and lots of flavor. Here’s to getting better quickly!
Love everything about this soup. But little Nacho! She stole the show. Can’t wait for some puppy snuggles and kisses.
I’ll trade you puppy snuggles for little John snuggles! You better come quick, she’s browning fast!!
You deserve a break mtn mama! Love this recipe….
Mail me the couscous because I didn’t pack it…. 😉
I’m so glad you relaxed and enjoyed the holidays! No need to apologize! Also this soup is pretty much the best thing I’ve ever seen. I want it. I want it bad.
No apologizing per say…..just explaining myself. I didn’t feel bad about it for 1 second!!
Oh Nacho! I’m so in love. I saw his photo on IG and was just dying over him. What a cutie! Sounds like you had a busy holiday. Glad you’re back! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Liz!
I love Nacho!!! Eee so cute!!
And I am totally making this for dinner tonight I have everything for it! Thanks <3
Oh GOSH that looks insanely good. I’m suiting up.
Made this for dinner tonight. I used boullion for my stock and diluted it quite a bit. Still found it a tiiiny bit too salty but I am sensitive to salt. I’m sure most others would be happy with the salt content.
That being said, my carnivorous partner sulked when he found out we were having a meatless dinner, but after eating a huge bowl he has requested this recipe become a regular on our roster! Great success 🙂 It was also really easy and fairly quick to throw together.