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Mediterran Veg Cous Cous
I have always had a love-hate relationship with cous cous and growing up, I really hated the texture. Now that I’m a little older and wiser, I’ve found a way to make a warm cous cous salad with just the right texture and flavours that mean I can add it to the household menu. This recipe is delicate with flavours and quite basic but you can always level it up – check out the upgrade ideas at the bottom of the post!
Ingredients
Serves 4
1.5 cups dried cous cous
600g of assorted mediterranean vegetables (I used a prepared bag that had butternut squash, courgette, peppers and red onion)
1 can of chickpeas
200g feta (skip if you want to make this vegan)
15g fresh parsley
1 vegetable stock cube
2-3 cloves chopped garlic
1/2 tsp of cumin seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp smoked paprika
Method
Rinse the cous cous in warm water, drain and set aside. I’ve put into the dish I’ll be serving in just to make my life easier!
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Heat some olive oil in a pan and add in the chopped garlic. Add in cumin seeds and temper.
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Add in your mixed vegetables. I’m using this pack of mediterranean veg from the supermarket that I’d frozen previously. Sprinkle in the salt and mix well.
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Dissolve a vegetable stock cube in 1/2 cup of water and add to the veg.
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Add in the drained chickpeas, turmeric and smoked paprika. Combine fully and simmer for a few mins and the veg and chickpeas have absorbed all the flavour and some of the water has cooked out.
While it’s simmering, crumble your feta and chop your parsley.
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Take off the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Mix in the parsley while still hot.
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Pour the veg over the cous cous and add in the feta cheese and parsley. Keep a little aside to top the bowls. Mix everything until well combined – make sure you get all the dry pockets of cous cous!
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Upgrade Ideas:
- Toppings will take this cous cous up a level! Try adding pomegranate seeds or walnuts for some freshness and crunch.
- Roast the vegetables with salt and paprika for a crispier texture. You can do the same with the chickpeas.