Couscous With Peppers Tomatoes Beans And Mint Recipes

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND MINT

Steps:

• Toss the tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon juice in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of the salt. Set aside.
• Put the couscous into a large bowl. Bring the water, lemon zest, 3 tablespoons of the oil, the remaining salt, cayenne, and herb stems to a boil over high heat. Pour the liquid over the couscous, stir to separate any clumps. Cover with a lid, plate, or plastic wrap, set aside for 5 minutes. Remove the zest and herb stems and fluff with a fork.
• Add the tomato mixture, scallions, mint, parsley, and pine nuts. Drizzle the remaining oil over the salad, toss and serve.
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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.

COUSCOUS TABBOULEH WITH FRESH MINT & FETA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5-8 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork. , In a large bowl, combine the beans, tomato and cucumber. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, lemon zest, oil and seasonings. Drizzle over bean mixture. Add couscous; toss to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until chilled. Sprinkle with cheese. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.

WHITE BEANS AND VEGGIES WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute zucchini and onion until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute., Stir in beans, tomatoes and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened and zucchini is tender, 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine water, butter and salt; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve bean mixture with couscous. Freeze option: Freeze cooled bean mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

BAKED BEANS WITH MINT, PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• If you have soaked the beans, drain them over a bowl and use the soaking water for cooking. Combine with enough water to cover by two inches in a large, ovenproof casserole or Dutch oven. Add the dried chili, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer 45 minutes to an hour until the beans are tender but intact. Stir in salt to taste.
• While the beans are simmering, heat the oven to 300 degrees and prepare the remaining vegetables. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy frying pan. Add the onions. Stir together, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until lightly browned. Stir in the garlic, the red peppers and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring, for five minutes until the peppers are just tender and the mixture is fragrant. Add the paprika, tomatoes and tomato paste, and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down a little, five to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, and add this mixture to the beans. Add freshly ground pepper and the mint, and blend the mixture thoroughly. Taste and adjust salt.
• Place the beans in the oven, and bake, covered, for 1 1/2 hours until very tender and the broth has reduced to a thick sauce. Stir and check from time to time to make sure the beans are covered with liquid. Add hot water if necessary. Garnish with additional mint and serve, or allow to cool and serve warm.

COUSCOUS WITH PEPPERS, TOMATOES, BEANS AND MINT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees C/400 degrees F or Gas mark 6.
• Prepare the peppers by removing the seeds and cutting them into wide strips. Place in a shallow roasting tin with the cherry tomatoes which have been cut in half. Add the olive oil and, with your hands, make sure everything is well coated.
• Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes until the vegetables are just slightly charred.
• Put couscous in a large bown and cover with the hot stock. Stir briefly and leave for about 5 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed. Fluff up with a fork.
• Add the roasted veggies, the drained rinsed kidney beans and the fresh chopped mint (dried mint doesn't work in this recipe) and mix everything thoroughly. Season to taste.

COUSCOUS WITH PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• Put the couscous and peas in a large bowl and add 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Stir to combine and then cover with plastic wrap. Set aside to steam for 5 minutes.
• Uncover the bowl, fluff with a fork and set aside to cool, about 10 minutes. Toss in the mint, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.

PEARL COUSCOUS WITH CREAMY FETA AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a 9-inch baking dish, cake pan or gratin dish, toss together tomatoes, scallions, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and oregano sprigs. Roast until tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
• While tomatoes roast, heat the stock until it boils, then stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt, adding more to taste. (You want a well-seasoned broth here to flavor the couscous.) Stir in cilantro, lemon zest and cumin.
• Remove tomatoes from oven and fold in couscous, chickpeas and hot stock mixture. Cover pan tightly with foil, and return to oven for 20 minutes.
• Remove foil and fold in about 3/4ths of the feta (save the rest for garnish) and Parmesan. Bake uncovered until feta starts to melt, another 5 minutes.
• To serve, pull out and discard herb sprigs if you like, and spoon couscous into bowls. Top with remaining feta, lots more herbs, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

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.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, BEAN AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine finely chopped tomatoes, garlic, salt, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Add beans and Israeli couscous and toss together. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes (or longer).
• Meanwhile, place chopped onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Soak 5 minutes, drain and rinse. Drain on paper towels and add to couscous and bean mixture. Add basil, chives, and pepper, and toss together.
• Line plates or a platter with lettuce leaves. Top with salad. Sprinkle feta over the top and serve.