Best Spring Vegetable Couscous Recipes

SPRING VEGETABLE RAGOûT WITH BROWN BUTTER COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a rapid boil. Add salt and couscous, stirring as water returns to boil. Turn down heat to a bare simmer, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and leave covered for 10 minutes. Dump couscous on a baking sheet or large platter, and spread out. Taste for salt and add more if necessary. Fluff, smash any large clumps and leave to cool, uncovered.
• Set up a steamer with a fine mesh basket, with water simmering on low heat, for eventual steaming of couscous. About 30 minutes before serving, put couscous in the steamer basket and raise heat to maintain a rapid simmer. Do not cover. (This extra steaming step produces lighter, fluffier couscous.)
• Make the green sauce: Put cilantro, salt, Serrano chile and olive oil in a blender or food processor. Pulse briefly, then purée into a paste. Add 1/4 cup water, and purée again. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in lime juice.
• Make the ragoût: Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a deep, wide skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add coriander and cumin. Let sizzle for a few seconds, then onions and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add leeks and season well with salt and pepper. Stir and cook onion-leek mixture until leeks are soft but still bright green, about 5 minutes.
• Add zucchini, season with salt and stir to coat. Add 3 cups water, raise heat to a boil, cover and cook for 2 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, cover and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add favas, if using, and spinach, cover and cook 1 minute. Turn off heat. (Spinach will continue to cook.)
• Finish the couscous: Set a wide skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add cold butter and let it sizzle and foam, turning rust-brown but no darker. Add preserved lemon and the saffron and its water to stop the browning. Turn off heat. Add hot couscous to pan and stir to incorporate all elements. Transfer to a warm serving bowl.
• Gently fold vegetables together, then lift from pot and transfer to a deep serving platter, using tongs or slotted spoon. Stir 2 tablespoons green sauce into liquid remaining in pot, then spoon liquid over vegetables. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Pass remaining green sauce at the table.

TOASTED FENNEL CRUSTED TUNA WITH SAFFRON-RED PEPPER SAUCE AND SPRING VEGETABLE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place fennel seeds in a coffee grinder and coarsely grind and place on a large plate. Brush tuna with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Preheat saute pan or grill pan over high heat until smoking. Dredge one side of the tuna in the fennel seeds. Saute, fennel-side down for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown, turn over and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes for rare doneness.
• Heat oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the red peppers, vinegar, water and saffron and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Place in a blender and blend until smooth, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook until lightly golden brown. Cover with water and 2 tablespoons of salt. Cook until al dente, drain and place into a large bowl. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in a large saute pan and saute the vegetables until just cooked through. Add the vegetables and oil to the couscous. Whisk together the soy sauce and harissa and pour over the couscous and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

SPRING-VEGETABLE COUSCOUS WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high. Add scallion whites and cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and 1 1/4 cups water and season with salt and pepper. Cover pan and bring liquid to a boil, then add asparagus and peas. Return to a boil and stir in couscous. Add chicken and remove pan from heat; cover and let sit 7 minutes. Add lemon juice and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Fluff couscous with a fork and serve.

SPRING VEGETABLE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• 1. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add zucchini, carrot, bell pepper, and onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until crisp tender.
• 2. Add peas, water, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add couscous; mix well. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff lightly with a fork and serve.
• 3. Options: Can use and vegetable you have on hand; and any spiced you like. Sometimes I add celery and mushrooms and broccoli, nuts and cheese..cooked meat or fish may also be added....

SPRING VEGETABLE AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Vinaigrette: Heat minced garlic until soft and golden in olive oil on very low heat, allow to cool. In food processor, mix olive oil/garlic mixture with rest of ingredients. Salad: Toast couscous over medium heat in dry heavy bottomed skillet, stirring constantly, until golden brown. Bring chicken stock and 1 cup water to boil. Cook until soft but still firm (7-8 minutes). Rinse in very cold water and drain well. Preheat oven to 450. Trim woody part of stem from asparagus. Coat with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast for 4-5 minutes, turning once, until roasted but not soggy. Allow to cool on rack. Bring pot of water to boil, add tbsp salt. Add fiddlehead ferns and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until bright green and tender crisp. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp sherry vinegar to pan, head on medium. Saute mushrooms until cooked but not soggy. Let cool (drain off any liquid). Combine everything, keeping back 1/3 of dressing. let sit for at least 1 hour. Before serving, add dressing and salt and pepper to taste.