Bell Pepper Couscous Wtomato Harissa Broth Recipes

COUSCOUS WITH TOMATOES, CAULIFLOWER, RED PEPPERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in the garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the spices. Stir together for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fragrant, and add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, 2 quarts water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
• Add the tomato paste, harissa, red bell pepper, cauliflower, olives and salt to taste. Bring back to a simmer and simmer 30 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and simmer another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Remove a cup of the broth for seasoning the couscous. The stew should be spicy and flavorful.
• Reconstitute and steam the couscous [ed: please link]. Serve the couscous in wide bowls or mound onto plates and top with the stew. Pass more harissa at the table.

COUSCOUS WITH TOMATOES, WHITE BEANS, SQUASH AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until onion is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in the garlic, the spices and salt to taste. Stir together for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fragrant, and add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, 2 quarts water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.
• Add the harissa, sweet and hot peppers, squash and salt to taste. Bring back to a simmer and simmer 45 minutes to an hour, until the beans are tender. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and simmer another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Remove a cup of the broth for seasoning the couscous. The stew should be spicy and flavorful.
• Reconstituting and steaming the couscous: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the couscous and salt to taste. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the couscous and add the cup of broth you removed from the stew. Stir well, or moisten your fingers and rub the couscous with them to evenly distribute the oil and broth. Add enough water to cover by 1/2 inch and let sit for 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Stir every 5 minutes with a wooden spoon or rub the couscous between your moistened thumbs and fingers, so that the couscous doesn't lump. The couscous will now be fairly soft; fluff it with a fork or with your hands. The traditional way to finish reconstituting the couscous is to place it above the simmering stew for 45 minutes. I find, however, that steaming it in a microwave results in perfectly fluffy couscous. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic and pierce the plastic with the tip of a paring knife. Heat at 100 percent power for 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave carefully and allow it to sit for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plastic and fluff with forks or a spoon. Cover again with plastic and microwave for 2 to 3 more minutes. Be very careful when you remove the plastic, as the couscous will be steamy. You can reconstitute the couscous a day ahead and reheat in the microwave shortly before serving.
• Reheat the stew and the couscous. Serve the couscous in wide bowls or mound onto plates and top with the stew. Pass more harissa at the table.

BELL PEPPER COUSCOUS W/TOMATO HARISSA BROTH

Steps:

• Dice red bell pepper aqnd sauté in 1 tsp oliv oil over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• In medium size pot, bring the stock, peppers and sugar to boil.
• Add the couscous; remove from heat and cover the pot.
• Leave covered until the couscous has absorbed all of the liquid, about 5 minutes; set aside.
• Chop tomatoes.
• Blend with salt and sugar to taste.
• Add harissa and mix in the blender until liquid.
• Pour into a small pot, bring to a simmer.
• Place a coffee filter in a strainer and place over a container.
• Once broth has simmered, pour contents into the lined strainer.
• Yield a clear broth in the container, about 1 cup.
• Heat a medium sauté pan; add 1/4 cup olive oil.
• Add shallot, pine nuts and raisins and sauté.
• Add couscous & spices, toss until fluffy (use a fork).
• Season with salt to taste.
• To serve, place couscous in a bowl and pour broth around.
• Sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

RED BELL PEPPER HARISSA

Steps:

• Char peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Wrap in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and chop peppers.
• Whisk tomato paste and vinegar to blend in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in oil, the salt. Mix in bell peppers and jalapeño. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover; refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

RED BELL PEPPER COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat oil at medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, thyme, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until veggies have softened.
• Pour the vegetable broth in the saucepan and bring to boil. Add couscous and stir. Cover and remove from the heat. Let rest 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.