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:- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork and add it to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- 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.
- 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.
