Spiced Couscous Recipes

MOROCCAN SPICED VEGETABLE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium-size skillet heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add red onion, yellow pepper, and carrot sauté 10-15 minutes or until brown and all the vegetables are your desired tenderness
• Add the garlic, sauté another minute.
• Mix in the salt & pepper, paprika, ground coriander, turmeric, celery salt, cumin ground cinnamon, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir-fry until fragrant (about a minute).
• Add the frozen peas and cook briefly. Stir in the piquante peppers and chickpeas. Followed by the stock, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Add the chopped parsley and stir in the couscous. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff and serve.

LIGHTLY SPICED VEGETABLE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Put vegetable stock, shallots, carrots and spices into a pot and bring to a rapid boil.
• Boil for two or three minutes until the carrots are becoming tender.
• Pour in couscous, cover and remove from heat.
• Let stand for about five minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is tender.
• Put back onto a very low heat and just stir through the margarine until the couscous is fluffed up.

COUSCOUS WITH MOROCCAN SPICES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a non stick pan and cook the chopped onion and garlic in it till the onion is soft and translucent.
• Stir in the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne and paprika.
• Continue stirring over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then add vegetable broth, tomato puree and currants.
• Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from heat and stir in fresh lemon (or lime) juice to your taste.
• If not using immediately and planning to reheat before serving, wait to add citrus juice at the last minute.
• To cook the couscous, heat the broth, water, butter and salt together in a medium skillet till the liquid boils.
• Reduce to a simmer, add the couscous, cover the skillet tightly and leave on the lowest heat for 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat an leave it covered for another couple of minutes before fluffing with a fork.
• (If using instant couscous, check package directions - you may not need to keep it on heat after boiling, but just cover and wait till liquid is absorbed - just see if liquid amounts match what is mentioned on the package).

SPICED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring stock, currants, salt and allspice to boil.
• Add couscous and boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork and serve.

COUSCOUS WITH SPICED ALMONDS

Steps:

• To prepare the almonds, heat the butter in a saute pan over medium heat until it is melted and bubbling. Add the almonds, cumin, turmeric, coriander, paprika, and salt. Saute until the almonds start to brown and the spices smell very fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool.
• To prepare the couscous, heat the stock in a saucepan over high heat until boiling, then season with salt and pepper. Place the couscous in a large bowl, pour the hot stock over the couscous, and cover with foil. Let stand until the stock is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, coarsely chop the cooled almonds. When the couscous has absorbed the stock, fluff with a fork, add the almonds, and mix well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SPICED COUSCOUS AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the ginger, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the carrots and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the carrots, reserving the cooking liquid.
• Put the couscous and chicken in a medium bowl; pour 1 cup of the hot cooking liquid on top. Stir, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and let sit 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds, raisins, scallions and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Cook, stirring, until the nuts are toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
• Divide the couscous and chicken among bowls. Top with the carrots and more of the cooking liquid. Sprinkle with the almond mixture and more cilantro. Top with yogurt and/or harissa.
• Per serving: Calories 441; Fat 20 g (Saturated 7 g); Cholesterol 91 mg; Sodium 853 mg; Carbohydrate 42 g; Fiber 8 g; Protein 28 g

MOROCCAN-SPICED COUSCOUS WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ras el hanout and toast, stirring, 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover and remove from the heat. Let sit until the couscous is tender, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and heavy cream in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Whisk 1 tablespoon lime juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium bowl; add the cilantro and cucumber and season with salt and pepper. Whisk the yogurt and remaining 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lime juice in a separate bowl; season with salt.
• Fluff the couscous with a fork and return to medium heat. Add the egg mixture and gently stir with a rubber spatula, bringing the eggs and couscous from the sides to the center of the skillet. Cook, stirring, until no longer wet and the egg starts to stick to the bottom of the pan, about 7 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the couscous and eggs among shallow bowls. Drizzle with the yogurt and top with the cucumber salad.

SPICY COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Tip the couscous and chickpeas into a bowl and pour over the stock. Cover and leave for 5-10 mins until the couscous has absorbed the stock. Allow to cool a little. Toss through the lemon zest and juice, pepper, almonds and mint. Spoon into a container, then top with the yogurt and a drizzle of harissa.

GRILLED HALLOUMI WITH SPICED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Firstly, put the kettle on then cut broccoli into florets and thickly slice stalk. Pour boiling water into a steamer, steam broccoli for 6 mins, add the peas and steam for 2 mins more.
• Meanwhile, mix the couscous with the spices in a bowl, pour over the hot stock, then cover and leave to stand for 5 mins.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan or griddle pan. Cut halloumi into 6-8 slices and cook quickly on each side for 2 mins until lightly tinged brown.
• Mix vegetables and tomatoes into couscous, fork in the lemon juice, oil and coriander. Pile onto plates and top with halloumi.