What other food goes well with couscous?

Question

It's my turn to make dinner tomorrow night, and I randomly pulled out a recipe for couscous from the cookbook. After getting the ingredients for the recipe (it's basically just couscous with bits of vegetables thrown in), I realized that couscous is probably not actually supposed to be a main course. Any ideas for something (easy!) to throw with it to make a more substantial meal?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that some of the people I'm cooking for are vegetarians. So meat suggestions are out.

Answer 1

Make a simple chickpea (garbanzo) stew, with a few vaguely Moroccan spices thrown in (chilli, cumin, cinnamon etc). Really easy, nutritious, suitable for veggies, and tasty! Also, it's a very traditional thing to serve with couscous. My kids like this too, so I'd imagine that it would go down well with most guests, even the more fussy ones!

I'd probably make it by frying up some onion with some whole cumin seeds, adding a bit of garlic, chilli & a cinnamon stick after a few minutes, then continuing to fry til the onion is starting to brown. I'd then throw in a tin of tomatoes (or more if I'm making it for a large number of people) & a tin (or more) of chickpeas (or use dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight & boiled until tender), and leave it to simmer for a while (timing isn't really important, although it'll probably taste better if it's been cooked a bit longer as the flavours will blend together). Taste it after it's been cooking for 10 mins or so & season with salt & pepper as required. At this stage I'll sometimes add something like a bit of lemon juice or sugar (really depends on your personal preference) - I've actually added date syrup a couple of times, and that was nice! When done, garnish with some coriander or parsley & serve!

If you want to make it a bit more complicated, you could add a few more vegetables & some other spices; maybe a few cloves, a bit of coriander, nutmeg, black pepper, turmeric, cardamon, ginger, saffron etc.

If you want a proper recipe, try something like this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/recipes/article2582579.ece
I haven't tried this particular recipe but it's by Gordon Ramsay so it should be reasonably good! Otherwise try googling "chickpea tagine" and see what tempts you.

Answer 2

What To Eat With Couscous

Answer 3

Spiced herb & almond couscous
Ingredients
red onion , halved and sliced
425ml hot stock (from a cube is fine)
pinch saffron strands, optional
1 fat red chilli , sliced
500g couscous
2 x 20g packs coriander , leaves only
50g toasted whole almonds
handful dates , roughly chopped
juice ½ lemon

Heat some oil in a roasting tray and then add the onions and fry for about 5 mins until just softened. While you're frying, add the saffron strands to the stock if using, so the flavour and colour infuses.
Tip the chilli into the tray, fry for 1 min more, then take off the heat. Add the couscous and stock, then cover with cling film for 10 mins. Once the couscous has absorbed all the stock, quickly chop the coriander (if you chop it too soon it will start to wilt), then fork it through the couscous with the almonds, dates and lemon juice and serve straight away. To serve cold, leave to cool, then add the chopped coriander just before eating.

Answer 4

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Couscous would be an excellent alternative to rice, especially with enchiladas, because couscous is traditionally served with spicy, meaty dishes. Couscous is simiar to rice in structure, so go different and try couscous this once.

Answer 5

Fish goes quite well with couscous as does chicken. Add a can of rinsed chick peas and some chopped spinach,makes it super yummy.
Lot's of garlic and lemon of course right?!

Answer 6

Here are a couple of recipes, hope this helps.

COUSCOUS W/BRIE

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. olive oil
4 oz. Brie cheese, frozen for 20 minutes
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
6 oz. pkg. instant couscous

Place Brie in freezer so it's easier to dice. Be sure to only leave it in there for 20 minutes! Meanwhile, in heavy skillet cook onion and garlic in butter and olive oil until crisp tender.
Take Brie out of freezer and remove skin; dice. Prepare couscous as package directes; when done, fluff with fork and add cooked onion mixture, Brie, and parsley and toss gently. Serve immediately. Serves 4

Israeli Simmered Vegetables over Spiced Couscous

1 small cabbage, cut vertically into 6 wedges (do not remove core)
4 large carrots (cut each into 3 chunks)
2 medium zucchini, unpeeled (cut each in half crosswise, then in half lengthwise)
2 medium onions, quartered vertically
2 medium potatoes, unpeeled, cut into eighths
1 (19 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
5 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup couscous, uncooked
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cumin

Put cabbage wedges in a large soup pot.
Put carrots, zucchini, onions, potatoes and chickpeas on top.
Pour broth on top, and add garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
When vegetables are almost ready, bring water to boil in a small saucepan.
Stir in couscous, cinnamon and cumin.
Cover and remove from heat.
Let stand for 5 minutes.
Fluff with a fork.
Place a mound of couscous in the centre of each soup bowl.
Arrange vegetables and chickpeas around couscous.
Spoon broth on top.
Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper

Answer 7

Salmon goes well with Couscous as well as beef or chicken kabobs.
Sweet Potatos are a nice side dish.

Answer 8

You require both for your daily intake i wood condition just as good as one another. Granta

Answer 9

Will depend on on the context really. Which is better as a snack - fruits for me personally. It's tastier and gives you that tad of sweetness. Which can be better as a snack if you are trying hard to minimize back on sugar and lose weight vegetables

Answer 10

Since you want this vegetarian, how about wild mushrooms? Shitake or portabello for instance. Eggplant cubes. Cheese cubes and/or diced hardboiled eggs (unless they are vegans.) Nuts and/or tofu works too.