Vegan Moroccan Couscous with Chick Peas
Moroccan Couscous with Chick Peas, Spinach, and Dried Fruit is loaded with Moroccan flavor, warm spices, and healthy ingredients. Served alongside your healthy main it's fabulous, but it also makes a great stand alone vegetarian main dish!
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot - chopped (see notes)
- 1 tsp garlic - minced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger - grated
- 2 teaspoons ras el hanout - see Notes below
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 ¼ cup broth or water - see notes
- 2 cups cooked chick peas
- ½ cup dried apricots - chopped (dried cherries, dates, etc.)
- ½ tsp sea salt and several grinds pepper - to taste
- 6 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup dried couscous - see Ingredients in post
- sliced or slivered almonds - toasted
- fresh herbs - mint, cilantro, parsley, chopped
- minced preserved lemon - or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, and shallot. Sauté until onion is soft, transparent, and beginning to get some color (5 minutes or so).
- Add ras el hanout, smoked paprika, cumin. Stir 1 minute or so. Add salt and pepper.
- Add the broth or stock. Add chick peas and dried apricots (or other dried fruit). Bring to a boil. Add couscous and baby spinach. Cover and remove from heat. Allow to sit 5 minutes (or time specified on the package). Check for seasoning.
- Garnish with chopped fresh herbs, toasted sliced or slivered almonds, and preserved lemon or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice as desired.
Notes
* If you can't find ras el hanout, and don't want to make your own, substitute 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon coriander, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
* Red or sweet onion are great substitutes for a shallot. About 1/4 cup finely minced is great!
* Check the ratio of liquid required by your specific package for 1 cup couscous, and adjust if necessary.
Macronutrients (approximation from MyFitnessPal.com): 264 calories; 9 g protein; 38 g carbohydrates; 9 g fat.
Nutrition
Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g
NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com