Moroccan Couscous with Chickpeas
Enjoy a vibrant, aromatic bowl of tender couscous topped with spiced chickpeas and wholesome vegetables.
Ingredients
- •1.5 cups dry couscous (300g)
- •1.5 cups boiling water or vegetable broth (360ml)
- •2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •1 can chickpeas (15 oz / 425g), rinsed and drained
- •1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- •2 cloves garlic, minced
- •2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- •1 medium zucchini, diced
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- •1 teaspoon paprika
- •1.5 cups vegetable broth (360ml)
- •1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes (120ml)
- •0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- •Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- 2
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
- 3
Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the sliced carrots, diced zucchini, drained chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth to the skillet.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- 6
While the vegetables are simmering, place the dry couscous in a large heatproof bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, tossing to coat.
- 7
Pour the boiling water or vegetable broth over the couscous, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, and let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
- 8
Fluff the couscous gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- 9
Season the chickpea and vegetable stew with salt and pepper to taste.
- 10
Serve the warm spiced vegetables and chickpeas generously over a bed of fluffy couscous and garnish with fresh cilantro.
💡 Chef tips
- For extra depth of flavor, you can add a pinch of saffron threads or harissa paste to the vegetable stew.
- Store leftover couscous and the chickpea stew in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can easily customize the vegetables by adding winter squash, green beans, or sweet potatoes depending on what is in season.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should feature light, fluffy grains paired with tender, spiced vegetables and chickpeas, exuding warm aromas of cumin and cinnamon.