Vegetable Couscous
A vibrant, aromatic, and effortless North African-inspired dish featuring fluffy semolina grains tossed with tender, spiced seasonal vegetables.
Ingredients
- •1.5 cups dry couscous (approx. 250g)
- •1.5 cups boiling vegetable broth
- •2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •1 large onion, finely diced
- •2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- •1 medium zucchini, diced
- •1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- •1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1 teaspoon ground coriander
- •1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- •1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat and sauté the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add the carrots, bell pepper, and zucchini to the pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- 3
Stir in the chickpeas, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon, cooking for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- 4
Place the dry couscous in a large heat-proof bowl. Pour the boiling vegetable broth over the couscous, cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap, and let it sit undisturbed for 5-7 minutes.
- 5
Remove the cover from the couscous and fluff it gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- 6
Fold the sautéed vegetable and chickpea mixture into the fluffy couscous.
- 7
Season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, and serve warm.
💡 Chef tips
- For extra flavor, toast the dry couscous in a teaspoon of olive oil for one minute before adding the boiling broth.
- You can easily swap the vegetables based on what is in your fridge; butternut squash or peas work beautifully in this recipe.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; fluff with a splash of water when reheating.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should be light and fluffy with tender, golden-spiced vegetables and chickpeas, offering a fragrant, earthy aroma and a satisfying, balanced texture.