Couscous with vegetables & Chick peas

What about visiting a country or continent without visa? Sounds impossible right? But take a look of this event; Dk of culinary bazaar has created this AWED event. You can have a glimpse/ or visit freely of what they are cooking in other country. This month, her buddy Sri has chosen Middle Eastern culinary visit. Can I satisfy this duo with my veg version of couscous with legumes (vegetables)?


I learnt to cook couscous pretty much 12 years back in France! Yes long back with my brother, we were all bachelors at that time, he prepares it for Saturday lunch! Weekend, everyone (me and my brothers) will share one house chore! One mop the floor, one cook and I do some other cleaning, how fun it was those days. Now, i have to do all by myself! Ok, we just make Non-veg separately to go with. The couscous and vegetables broth are really a complete meal! This is a Maroccan/Arabic version but without meat! Vegetable & chick peas broth





Tomato can sauce: ½ can
Vegetable broth: 2 cups or veg bouillon 2 cubes + 2 cups of water
Onion small: 1 diced
Zucchini: 1 cut into big chunk
Carrot: 2 cut into big chunk
Leek: 1 cut into big chunk
Celery: ½ cup big chunck
Bell pepper Red & green: 1 cup
Garbanzo beans: 1 /2 can or 1 /2 cup (cooked)
Spice
Paprika:
1 tsp
Harissa (is a chili puree mostly available in tube): ½ tsp or use hot chili powder: 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder: 1tsp
Cumin: 1 tsp
Bay leave: 1
Cinnamon: ½ stick
Garlic: 1 crushed (optional)
Oil: 1tsp

How to make it
Heat a big pot with oil; add the bay leaf and cinnamon stick, followed by onion.
Let it fry for few minutes add the veg and saute well, add the tomato juice, spice powder and broth and adjust the salt. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, add the garbonza beans and boil another 5 mintes.
That is it the broth is ready to be served over the couscous.

Couscous is pasta, looks like a big size semolina granule. It is super fast to cook!
If you are using veg broth don’t add the salt !

How to cook Couscous


Couscous: 1 cup
Water: 1 cup (u can use veg broth too)
Olive oil or butter: 1 tsp
Salt: pinch

Bring to boiling point the water, swtich off the stove add the salt and butter and couscous grains. Cover the pot and let it rest 5 min. Now take a fork and fluff the grain. Serve with veg broth!

Comments

Hetal said…
lovely entry dear...
mitr_bayarea said…
Cham-

I love couscous, its so simple and quick to prepare. nice combo with chick peas.

On another note, wud you be interested in meeting up with some other bayarea bloggers. Apaprently, there is a google groups for bayarea food bloggers and A-kay is the owner, let me know your email id if you would like to join this group. I just joined today.
Uma said…
never tried anything with couscous! Looks so delicious and healthy, Cham! great entry.
kamala said…
I too never tried this Cham...Great entry
Sum Raj said…
i have seen couscous in food network but never used nor tasted..and the veggies r healthy too..
Madhavi said…
Great entry Cham, looks delicious and wonderful pic too!!!
karuna said…
i tried couscous once, and did not like it much. neither did my husband. probably i will try this recipe. sounds intresting.
Laavanya said…
I must try couscous... the vegetable & chickpeas gravy looks lovely - must be yummy when the couscous soaks this up.
Sunshinemom said…
I have never tried couscous! The broth looks great. May be its time I tried this!
Arundathi said…
i love couscous... and your veggie version sounds great. thanks.
Andhra Flavors said…
looks delicious and wonderful recipe.
Andhra Flavors said…
hi,something is waiting for u @ my blog :)
Anonymous said…
Never tried couscous,Its new to me.Looks so delicious and healthy.Great entry.....Cham
Finla said…
I love cuccous with a veggie stew like this.
But i have to admit i always bought the vegetable stew in a tin and just heated up and thenseved it with couscous.
Will try next time to make jome made saucz to go with it.
Looks delicious
Swati said…
The couscous looks lovely with the colorful veggies Cham!!
FH said…
Beautiful photo Cham, love the color contrast!:))
SMN said…
new dish for me. bokmarked it luks good
ranji said…
hi cham..couscous looks delicious with the vegetables..never tried couscous..but have heard it tastes good..need to give it a try soon.
EC said…
Lovely looking dish...nice entry
great entry cham! i have something nice for u on my blog!
Suganya said…
WOW>>> Love couscous a lot. Ur dish looks very delicious. So colorful. YUM! YUM!
SASHREE said…
couscous...a very new one to me.looks very delicious dear..thanx for sharing
Sailaja said…
So nice Cham. I love Couscous
Vani said…
Couscous is something I've been meaning to try for ages now but never got around to doing it! SHould change that soon :) Loved your summer rolls too - colorful & nicely presented!
Nice different recipes you post cham.eager to try these.But in India we dont get many items you mention.Great to see your interest in cooking.want to know more about you.If interested in sharing can mail me at chidambaram.solai@gmail.com
SASHREE said…
cham cham...hurry..an award is waiting for u,go and grab it
have a great weekend dear :)
Shubha Ravikoti said…
Lovely entry...:)

Cham check my blog... I have something for u there...:D
Beyond Curries said…
That's a very good recipe Cham. I have tried vegetable upma with couscous. This one is going to taste better than that. I did not know that harissa was available in stores. I also came across it while searching for some ME recipes. Where can I get it?
Cham said…
Madhu:U can get harissa in gourmet local stores in tube or can. But it is fiery hot , small amount goes a long way!It is consider as a gourmet item!
bha said…
nice couscous recipe and an addition of chicpeas...i always add lots of vegetable, wud be nice to try this variation
Unknown said…
Hi cham..love your recipes...You make my day really.. an award for you in my blog!!
Looks yummy and great pictures too
Sagari said…
perfect lunch for this summer cham
Hetal said…
Hey check out my blog,have something for you..
This makes a lovely and filling meal.Looks good.
Sia said…
i have this big bag of couscous in my pantry ununsed since few months and ur recipe is just perfect for using it:) thanks cham:)
ST said…
Hi Cham,
There is a Treat for u at my blog
Medhaa said…
Love CousCous cause its easy to make. Yours looks lovely.
Kalai said…
Love couscous!! This looks delicious, Cham! :)
Archana Doshi said…
Perfect and healthy. Just the right recipe for the ONE DISH MEAL event i am hosting. I would love for you to send a recipe to this event. The rules and details for the event at the link below
http://www.archanaskitchen.com/2008/uncategorized/monthly-one-dish-event-meals/
Unknown said…
havent tried couscous cham..looks simple to prepare..thanks for the recipe