Fragrant Moroccan Seven Vegetable Couscous with Chickpeas, Raisins, and Harissa

Fragrant Moroccan Seven Vegetable Couscous with Chickpeas, Raisins, and Harissa

Couscous, a versatile and wholesome grain, forms the base of this flavorful Moroccan dish. This easy-to-make recipe combines an array of vegetables, chickpeas, raisins, and the vibrant spice of harissa to create a tantalizing feast.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup couscous
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery sticks, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow squash, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon harissa paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the couscous is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
2. While the couscous is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, bell pepper, squash, and zucchini. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
3. Stir in the chickpeas, raisins, cilantro, harissa paste, cumin, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the flavors have blended.
4. Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the skillet. Stir to combine.
5. Serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use homemade vegetable broth instead of store-bought.
• If you can't find harissa paste, you can substitute a mixture of chili powder and cumin.
• Feel free to add other vegetables to this dish, such as green beans, corn, or peas.
• For a vegan version, omit the harissa paste and use a plant-based broth.

FAQ:

• What is couscous? Couscous is a type of pasta made from semolina flour. It is a staple food in many North African and Middle Eastern countries.
• How do you pronounce couscous? The correct pronunciation of couscous is "koo-skoos."
• What is harissa? Harissa is a spicy chili paste made from roasted red peppers, garlic, and cumin. It is a common ingredient in Moroccan cuisine.
• Is this dish gluten-free? No, this dish is not gluten-free because it contains couscous, which is made from wheat. However, you can make a gluten-free version by using quinoa instead of couscous.