Indulge in a delightful and wholesome one-pot meal with this tantalizing couscous dish. This vegetarian extravaganza combines the vibrant flavors of tomatoes, hearty white beans, tender squash, and colorful peppers. The recipe features three variations to cater to your dietary preferences: a vegan version, a vegetarian version with feta cheese, and a dairy-free version with nutritional yeast. Each variation promises a unique taste experience while providing a satisfying and nutritious meal.
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WHITE BEANS AND VEGGIES WITH COUSCOUS
My family loves the simplicity and full-flavors of this meatless entree. With its variety in taste and texture, we can see why they list it as their favorite! -Heather Savage, Wood River Junction, Rhode Island
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 350 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 521mg sodium, Carbohydrate 60g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 13g protein.
ISRAELI COUSCOUS, BEAN AND TOMATO SALAD
Finely chopped tomatoes seasoned with garlic, balsamic vinegar and basil serve as both dressing and vegetable in this main dish salad. I've been making tomato concassée all summer and using it as a sauce for pasta and fish. I decided to use it as a stand-in for salad dressing in this hearty salad, a simple combination of cooked Israeli couscous and beans. I used canned pinto beans, and they were just fine. Chickpeas would also work. Use lots of basil in the mix. The red onion contributes some crunch. You can add a little celery if you want more texture. Make sure to use sweet, ripe, juicy tomatoes. I love the finishing touch of the feta, but it is optional.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories salads and dressings, main course
Time 20m
Yield Serves 4 generously
Number Of Ingredients 13
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.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 753, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 129 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 21 grams, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 1135 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams
COUSCOUS WITH CHICKPEAS, SPINACH AND MINT
Spinach and chickpeas are a popular combination throughout the Mediterranean. This is one of my favorite couscous tagines. You can also use sturdier greens like chard. If you do use chard, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes rather than the 5 minutes required for spinach.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 25m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
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 a generous pinch of salt, the garlic and the spices. Stir together for about half a minute, until the garlic is fragrant, and add the drained chickpeas, 2 quarts water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the tomato paste, the harissa and salt to taste. Bring back to a simmer and simmer 45 minutes to an hour, until the chickpeas are tender. Remove 1 cup of the broth to flavor the couscous.
- 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 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.
- Shortly before serving, stir in the spinach and the mint. Simmer 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. The stew should be spicy and flavorful. Serve the couscous in wide bowls or mound onto plates and top with the stew. Pass more harissa at the table.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 446, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 78 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 20 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 504 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
COUSCOUS WITH TOMATOES, KALE AND CHICKPEAS
The topping for this couscous isn't too much more complicated than making a tomato sauce with blanched kale and chickpeas added. Reconstitute the couscous, then start the topping. By the time the topping is done the couscous will be ready to steam in the microwave.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, easy, main course
Time 45m
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Begin heating a saucepan full of water for the kale. Put the couscous in a bowl, add salt to taste, and if desired, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Stir or rub between your fingers to distribute the oil (with the oil the couscous is a little fluffier, but you can omit this step). Cover with ½ inch of warm water or stock, if you have some. Let sit while you prepare the tomato sauce. Stir every once in a while to fluff.
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a wide skillet or saucepan and add the garlic and red pepper flakes. As soon as the garlic begins to smell fragrant (30 seconds to 1 minute), add the tomatoes, sugar, and salt and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often, until thick and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasoning.
- By now the water in the pot will be boiling. Add salt to taste and the kale. Blanch for 3 to 4 minutes, until tender but still bright. Using a skimmer, transfer to a bowl of cold water. Drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop medium-fine and stir into the tomato sauce, along with the chickpeas and cilantro. Keep warm.
- Cover the couscous bowl with plastic wrap, pierce in a few places and microwave for 2 minutes at full power. Remove from the microwave carefully, as the bowl will be hot. Carefully remove the plastic and fluff. Cover again and return to the microwave for 1 minute. Serve the couscous topped with the tomato and kale sauce.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 454, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 80 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 21 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1052 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams
TUNISIAN GRILLED PEPPERS AND TOMATOES WITH COUSCOUS
This spicy, juicy meal, perfect for the summer, is one of a variety of Tunisian grilled salads. The couscous can be served warm or at room temperature. This makes a heavenly summer meal. Reconstitute some couscous and top with this spicy, juicy mix of grilled pepper and tomato salad. You can serve the couscous warm or at room temperature. The pepper salad is typical of Tunisian grilled salads (mechwya), of which there are many versions (eggplant can be included in the mix). In Tunisia, a spice mix called tabil would be used to season the peppers. I keep the mix on hand, without the dried garlic, but here I've given you a mix of spices to use. You can substitute tabil if you have some; the mix will be a little hotter because there is cayenne in the tabil.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories main course
Time 45m
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Grill peppers over a hot grill or a gas flame, or under a broiler, until charred. Place in a bowl and cover with a plate or with plastic. Allow to cool.
- Grill tomatoes over a hot grill or under a broiler for about 3 minutes, until skins split and char. If tomatoes are large, turn over and grill on the other side. Small tomatoes needn't be turned. You do not want to cook them until they're overly soft. Remove from heat, place in a bowl and allow to cool until you can handle them.
- When peppers are cool enough, stem and peel. Holding them over the bowl to catch juices, seed and cut in 2-inch long strips. Transfer to another bowl and strain in juices. Peel, core and slice tomatoes. Cut slices into strips and transfer, with juices, to bowl with peppers.
- In a mortar and pestle, purée garlic with a generous pinch of salt. Add caraway, coriander and cayenne if using. Work in the lemon juice and olive oil and toss with vegetables. Add half the parsley and toss together. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Warm couscous if desired and divide among plates or wide bowls. Spoon on pepper and tomato salad with juices in bowl. Sprinkle more parsley on top and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 249, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 41 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 479 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients prepped and measured. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't miss anything.
- Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh vegetables will give your dish the best flavor. If you can, try to use organic vegetables whenever possible.
- Roast the Vegetables: Roasting the vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and flavor. You can roast them in the oven or on a grill.
- Cook the Couscous Properly: Couscous is a delicate grain, so it's important to cook it according to the package directions. Be sure to use the right amount of water and cook it for the correct amount of time.
- Add Flavorings: You can add a variety of flavorings to your couscous dish, such as herbs, spices, and citrus zest. This will help to enhance the flavor of the dish.
Conclusion:
This couscous dish is a delicious and healthy meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. It's packed with flavor and nutrients, and it's easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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