Vegetable Couscous
A vibrant, aromatic, and incredibly quick North African-inspired dish that brings a medley of tender vegetables together with fluffy, golden semolina pearls.
Ingredients
- •1.5 cups dry couscous
- •1.5 cups boiling vegetable broth
- •2 tablespoons olive oil
- •1 medium yellow onion, diced
- •2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- •1 medium zucchini, diced
- •1 red bell pepper, chopped
- •1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- •1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
- •1 tablespoon butter (optional, for fluffing)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wide pot over medium heat.
- 2
Add the onion and carrots, sautéing for about 5-7 minutes until the onions are translucent and carrots begin to soften.
- 3
Add the zucchini, bell pepper, chickpeas, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, cooking for another 5-8 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- 4
While the vegetables cook, place the dry couscous in a heat-proof bowl.
- 5
Pour the boiling vegetable broth over the couscous, cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap, and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
- 6
Remove the lid from the couscous and fluff it gently with a fork, stirring in the butter if using.
- 7
Fold the sautéed vegetable mixture into the couscous, season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish generously with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- For extra depth, toast the dry couscous in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding the broth to give it a nutty flavor.
- You can easily swap the zucchini or peppers for seasonal favorites like butternut squash or green peas depending on what is in your pantry.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though you may need to add a splash of water when reheating.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish should be a colorful, fragrant bowl of light, fluffy grains perfectly balanced by tender, spiced vegetables and the earthy bite of chickpeas.