Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of spring with our delectable couscous dishes. From the classic Moroccan couscous with vegetables to the innovative roasted vegetable couscous and the refreshing lemon-herb couscous, each recipe is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventure, these recipes offer a perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication to elevate your mealtimes.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SPRING VEGETABLE RAGOûT WITH BROWN BUTTER COUSCOUS
The amazingly flavorful couscous here is the result of a trick from the chef Mourad Lahlou, whose San Francisco restaurants, Aziza (currently closed) and Mourad, feature a modernist approach to Moroccan cuisine. Freshly steamed couscous is tossed with sizzling brown butter, lots of chopped preserved lemon and a splash of saffron. It is seriously good with just about anything, especially seasonal vegetable ragoûts. (Saucy braises of lamb, chicken or fish also pair well with it.) The recipe below uses spring vegetables, but you can substitute others throughout the year.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, grains and rice, vegetables, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a rapid boil. Add salt and couscous, stirring as water returns to boil. Turn down heat to a bare simmer, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and leave covered for 10 minutes. Dump couscous on a baking sheet or large platter, and spread out. Taste for salt and add more if necessary. Fluff, smash any large clumps and leave to cool, uncovered.
- Set up a steamer with a fine mesh basket, with water simmering on low heat, for eventual steaming of couscous. About 30 minutes before serving, put couscous in the steamer basket and raise heat to maintain a rapid simmer. Do not cover. (This extra steaming step produces lighter, fluffier couscous.)
- Make the green sauce: Put cilantro, salt, Serrano chile and olive oil in a blender or food processor. Pulse briefly, then purée into a paste. Add 1/4 cup water, and purée again. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in lime juice.
- Make the ragoût: Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a deep, wide skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add coriander and cumin. Let sizzle for a few seconds, then onions and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add leeks and season well with salt and pepper. Stir and cook onion-leek mixture until leeks are soft but still bright green, about 5 minutes.
- Add zucchini, season with salt and stir to coat. Add 3 cups water, raise heat to a boil, cover and cook for 2 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, cover and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add favas, if using, and spinach, cover and cook 1 minute. Turn off heat. (Spinach will continue to cook.)
- Finish the couscous: Set a wide skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add cold butter and let it sizzle and foam, turning rust-brown but no darker. Add preserved lemon and the saffron and its water to stop the browning. Turn off heat. Add hot couscous to pan and stir to incorporate all elements. Transfer to a warm serving bowl.
- Gently fold vegetables together, then lift from pot and transfer to a deep serving platter, using tongs or slotted spoon. Stir 2 tablespoons green sauce into liquid remaining in pot, then spoon liquid over vegetables. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Pass remaining green sauce at the table.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 556, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 11 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 948 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SPRING VEGETABLE COUSCOUS
This recipe is so tasty and refreshing-you will want to make it over and over. It's and easy Middle Eastern variation on Pasta Primavera and delicious . "This recipe is so easy and it won't let you down. Great when there is a cool breeze and when it's warm outside",says Mr Food. Recipe and photo from Mr. Food.
Provided by Pat Duran
Categories Other Main Dishes
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add zucchini, carrot, bell pepper, and onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until crisp tender.
- 2. Add peas, water, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add couscous; mix well. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff lightly with a fork and serve.
- 3. Options: Can use and vegetable you have on hand; and any spiced you like. Sometimes I add celery and mushrooms and broccoli, nuts and cheese..cooked meat or fish may also be added....
COUSCOUS WITH SPRING VEGETABLES
Steps:
- Following the basic recipe (page 112), put the couscous in a wide, ovenproof dish, add the same volume of salted water gradually, stirring so that it gets absorbed evenly. After about 10 minutes, when the couscous has become plump and almost tender, add 3 tablespoons olive oil and rub the couscous between your hands to air it and break up any lumps. This can be done in advance and then heated through 20 to 30 minutes before serving in an oven preheated to 400°F until it is steaming hot. For the broth, bring the stock to boiling point, then add the fava beans; the scallions, trimmed of their green ends and sliced; and the artichokes, cut in half or quartered, and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and pepper, taking into consideration the saltiness of the bouillon cubes. Add the peas, and cook for 5 minutes, or until they are just tender. Stir in the herbs just before you are ready to serve.
- Before serving, fluff up the couscous with a fork, breaking up any lumps, and stir in the remaining olive oil. Arrange the vegetables on top and pass the broth around in a bowl for everyone to help themselves.
- variation
- You may like to melt into the couscous at the end 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of butter and omit the olive oil.
SPRING-VEGETABLE COUSCOUS WITH CHICKEN
This one-pan dish would also be good with sugar snap peas added at the end.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high. Add scallion whites and cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and 1 1/4 cups water and season with salt and pepper. Cover pan and bring liquid to a boil, then add asparagus and peas. Return to a boil and stir in couscous. Add chicken and remove pan from heat; cover and let sit 7 minutes. Add lemon juice and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Fluff couscous with a fork and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 377 g, Fat 13 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 22 g
COUSCOUS WITH SPRING VEGETABLES
Quick-cooking couscous, green onions and red peppers are cooked in a blend of chicken broth, Dijon mustard and lemon peel for a tempting side dish.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 15m
Yield Makes 8 servings, about 1 cup each.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring broth to boil in medium saucepan on high heat. Stir in mustard until well blended.
- Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover; remove from heat. Let stand 5 min. or until liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff with fork.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 160, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 300 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 6 g
VEGETABLE COUSCOUS
Looking for a different way to serve vegetables? These tiny pasta granules act like a magnet, pulling together the flavors of the chicken broth and vitamin-rich veggies. Carrots, celery, peppers and zucchini add fresh crunch and bright color.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large skillet, saute the carrots, celery, onion and peppers in oil for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add the next five ingredients. , Stir in couscous. Add broth; bring to a boil. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5-8 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 272 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 513mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ROASTED VEGGIES WITH COUSCOUS
Light fluffy couscous with a touch of olive oil with roasted veggies. Dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A great vegetarian dish. A delight, summer or winter.
Provided by 747
Categories Fruits and Vegetables Vegetables Squash
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat your grill to a high heat, outdoor or indoor.
- Brush vegetables lightly with olive oil, and place them on the grill. Cook, flipping over occasionally, until just tender.
- While the vegetables are grilling, bring water, salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and couscous to boil in a large pot. Once the water has come to a boil, remove the pot from the heat and let it stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork when done. Let couscous cool to room temperature.
- Place couscous on a plate and top with veggies. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and Balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 224 calories, Carbohydrate 36.8 g, Fat 5.5 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 301.4 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
Tips:
- Use fresh vegetables: Fresh vegetables will give your couscous dish the best flavor and texture. If you can't find fresh vegetables, you can use frozen vegetables, but make sure to thaw them before cooking.
- Season the vegetables well: Don't be afraid to season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. This will help to bring out their flavor and make the dish more enjoyable.
- Cook the vegetables until they are tender: Overcooked vegetables will be mushy and unpleasant to eat. Cook them until they are just tender, but still have a slight crunch.
- Use a good quality couscous: The quality of the couscous will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for a couscous that is made from whole wheat or another whole grain. This will give the dish a more nutty flavor and texture.
- Fluff the couscous before serving: Fluffing the couscous will help to separate the grains and make it lighter and fluffier. You can use a fork or a spoon to fluff the couscous.
Conclusion:
Couscous with spring vegetables is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you have in your fridge. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and healthy meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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