Moroccan Couscous with Vegetables
A fragrant, vibrant, and comforting Moroccan staple featuring fluffy steamed semolina grains topped with a colorful medley of tender vegetables and aromatic spices.
Ingredients
- •1.5 cups dry couscous (approx. 250g)
- •1.75 cups boiling vegetable broth or water
- •2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •1 large onion, finely diced
- •2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- •1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- •1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- •1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- •1/2 cup golden raisins
- •1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- •1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion until translucent and soft.
- 2
Add the carrots, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper, stirring for 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
- 3
Pour in 1/2 cup of water, cover, and simmer for 8 minutes until the carrots begin to soften.
- 4
Add the zucchini and chickpeas to the pot, cover again, and cook for another 5-7 minutes until all vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- 5
While the vegetables cook, place the dry couscous in a heatproof bowl. Pour the boiling broth or water over it, add a pinch of salt, and cover tightly with a plate or plastic wrap for 5-10 minutes.
- 6
Once the liquid is absorbed, fluff the couscous gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- 7
Stir the raisins into the vegetable mixture, then serve the vegetables over a generous bed of fluffy couscous.
- 8
Garnish with fresh cilantro and parsley before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- For a deeper flavor, toast the dry couscous in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding the boiling liquid.
- You can easily add protein by serving this alongside grilled chicken or lamb, keeping the dish strictly meat-based.
- Leftover couscous can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of water.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish features light, airy semolina grains topped with tender, spice-infused vegetables that offer a perfect balance of savory warmth and subtle sweetness from the raisins.