Colourful Couscous

This one is for my friend D (hmm, there are a lot of Ds in my life) who is an expert on mustard. You know who you are 🙂

Four years back, if you’d asked me what ‘Couscous’ was, I’d have only had a vague idea, but now it is a kitchen staple in my house. My husband, (diehard South Indian food fan that he is) has still not made the shift, but I make it 2-3 times a week and all my women friends love it.

It’s healthy, tasty, quick to cook and best of all- a one pot meal which needs no accompaniments. And you can vary it up each time with different veggies.

20130125-061744.jpg
Ok, so that was a completely gratuitous shot, because I wanted to show off the beautiful blue platter my friend S gifted me with! And here is another!

20130125-062048.jpg
INGREDIENTS:
Couscous 1 cup
Vegetable oil 4-5 tsps
Celery, diced, 1/2 cup
Red and yellow peppers, diced, 1/2 cup or more
Green chillies, minced, 2 (you can seed them if you wish)
Cumin powder, 1/2 tsp (use less if the smell is too strong for you)
Cinnamon powder, 1/2 tsp
Salt to taste
Hot water, 1 cup
Pine nuts, toasted, 1/4 cup
Coriander or parsley, chopped, for the garnish
Cranberries or pomegranate seeds, 1/4 cup, for topping

METHOD:
Have all your vegetables diced and ready. This dish comes together very quickly.
Here, from left to right- red pepper, coriander, celery and green chillies.

20130125-063622.jpg

20130125-063642.jpg
Start by toasting your pine nuts in a large wok. When lightly browned, set aside.
Using the same wok or pan, add the oil and lightly sauté the celery.
Next add the couscous and mix until each grain is coated with oil. This prevents it from clumping.
Add the diced veggies and the cumin and cinnamon powders. Add salt and continue to mix.
Next add 1 cup of hot water, and cover the wok and bring the couscous to a boil.
The couscous cook within 5 minutes and absorbs all the water. So don’t panic when you turn off the heat, I you find it watery still.
After 5-6 minutes, when all the water is absorbed, fluff up the couscous with a fork, and transfer to a bowl.

20130125-064641.jpg
Top with chopped coriander, cranberry or pomegranate and pine nuts.

20130125-064951.jpg
Enjoy!
R

10 Comments

  1. I wish this couscous was sitting on my counter right now! I don’t feel like making dinner, and now I’m craving this couscous! Beautiful dishes too! Great recipe, thanks for sharing.

  2. We all know I’m your favourite ‘D’ though.

  3. I love couscous and prepare it often – it’s just too easy and tasty. I ADORE your plate – it’s a stunner!

  4. Hi Radhika,

    I’m Joyce from Kitchen Flavours and The Home Bakers (THB), glad to know that you would like to join our baking group. Please do email me at [email protected] in order for us to discuss further, I am unable to find your email address from your blog. 🙂

    That is a lovely plate of couscous! I have cooked couscous only once. I absolutely adore pine nuts, but they are extremely expensive over here, and I can imagine how good they must be with the delicious looking couscous!

  5. Pingback:Spinach in my Couscous, No, Couscous in my Spinach! – slimegreen

  6. Pingback:Angela’s Awesome Couscous | SINSATIONS- Cakes to drool over!