Couscous with Vegetables (Couscous alle Verdure)
Category: Main Dishes
Servings: 4
This delightful Couscous with Vegetables recipe is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, bringing together colorful seasonal vegetables with the light, fluffy grains of couscous. It’s an ideal dish for a quick yet satisfying lunch or dinner, and the use of fresh herbs and spices ensures each bite is a burst of freshness and warmth. Let’s dive into the preparation of this Mediterranean-inspired dish that will bring a touch of summer to your table year-round!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Couscous | 160g |
| Water | 320g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 10g (for couscous) |
| Ground turmeric | 1 teaspoon |
| Fine salt | A pinch |
| Carrots | 180g |
| Eggplant | 180g |
| Cherry tomatoes | 100g |
| Salt | To taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 20g (for vegetables) |
| Fresh chili pepper | 1 |
| Fresh spring onion | 100g |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Zucchini | 180g |
| Snow peas (or snap peas) | 100g |
| Fresh ginger | 10g (about a thumb-sized piece) |
| Fresh mint leaves | As needed |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~300 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | ~50g |
| Protein | ~8g |
| Fat | ~10g |
| Fiber | ~5g |
| Sodium | ~350mg |
Note: Nutritional information may vary based on specific ingredients used and serving sizes.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
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Clean and Chop the Vegetables: Begin by washing and preparing all the vegetables for your couscous dish. First, slice the fresh chili pepper into thin strips, removing the seeds. Set it aside. Then, rinse and trim all other vegetables.
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Chop the Vegetables: Start with the spring onions, cutting them into thin slices. For the carrots, cut them into slightly diagonal rounds and then cut each round into thin matchsticks for a nice presentation and even cooking. Do the same with the zucchinis, ensuring to keep the slices diagonal for consistency. Slice the eggplant into cubes, and chop the snow peas into bite-sized pieces. Finally, halve the cherry tomatoes lengthwise.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
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Heat the Pan: Place a large wok or frying pan on the stove and heat 20g of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat.
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Sauté Aromatics: Add the whole garlic clove and the fresh chili pepper into the pan. Sauté for about 1 minute, just enough to release their fragrance and infuse the oil.
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Add the Vegetables: Begin with the eggplant and spring onions, as they take a bit longer to cook. Stir them around for 2-3 minutes until the eggplant softens slightly and the spring onion starts to become tender.
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Continue Cooking the Vegetables: Add the carrots and zucchini next, sautéing for another 2-3 minutes. Then, toss in the snow peas and cherry tomatoes. Season with salt to taste. Stir-fry the vegetables for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring they stay vibrant and slightly crisp.
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Remove Garlic and Finish Cooking: Once the vegetables are tender but still maintain their color and texture, remove the garlic clove. Stir in freshly grated ginger and cook for another minute for added freshness. The vegetables should now be perfectly cooked and ready to be combined with the couscous.
Step 3: Prepare the Couscous
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Cook the Couscous: In a separate large bowl, pour in 160g of couscous. Boil 320g of water with a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric, then pour the hot water over the couscous. Stir to combine, then cover with plastic wrap to trap the steam. Let the couscous sit for 5 minutes, allowing it to absorb the water and fluff up.
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Fluff and Season: Once the couscous has absorbed the water, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains. Drizzle with 10g of olive oil and mix to incorporate. The turmeric will have given the couscous a beautiful yellow hue, enhancing the dish’s vibrant look.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
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Assemble the Dish: On each serving plate, create a base with the couscous. Gently pile the sautéed vegetables over the couscous, making sure to distribute the different types evenly for a balanced bite.
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Garnish and Flavor: Tear fresh mint leaves by hand and scatter them over the top of the vegetables. The mint will provide a refreshing contrast to the earthy vegetables and couscous, giving a wonderful aromatic finish to the dish.
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Serve: Your Couscous with Vegetables is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve immediately as a satisfying main dish for lunch or dinner, or as a side to complement your favorite protein.
Tips & Variations:
- Add Protein: To make this dish more filling, consider adding some grilled chicken, chickpeas, or feta cheese for an extra dose of protein and flavor.
- Spice it Up: For a spicier kick, feel free to increase the amount of chili pepper or add a pinch of chili flakes when sautéing the vegetables.
- Other Vegetables: Feel free to swap in or add other vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms depending on what’s in season or available to you.
- Make it Vegan: This dish is already vegan, but you can easily make it gluten-free by ensuring your couscous is made from gluten-free grains or replacing it with quinoa or rice.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Couscous with vegetables is a quick, versatile, and flavorful dish that’s both comforting and refreshing. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a satisfying dinner, this dish ticks all the boxes with its balance of healthy ingredients, fresh herbs, and aromatic spices. Plus, it’s an excellent option for meal prep, as it keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the variety of flavors that come together beautifully. From the sweetness of the carrots to the smokiness of the eggplant, and the tanginess of the cherry tomatoes, each bite is full of layers. The couscous, light and fluffy, serves as the perfect base for these vegetables, absorbing the flavors while providing a satisfying texture. The addition of mint, ginger, and chili peppers adds a zesty freshness that brightens the entire dish.
Enjoy this Couscous with Vegetables as a versatile and healthy meal that’s easy to prepare, satisfying to eat, and full of vibrant flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
