Chickpea Couscous Recipes

CHICKPEA COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine chickpeas, raisins, oil, 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, and cover pot; remove from heat. Set aside (5 minutes). Fluff couscous gently with a fork before serving.

VEGETABLE COUSCOUS WITH CHICKPEAS & PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• For the broth, bring the stock to a simmer in a large pan. Add the harissa and vegetables, bring back to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins. Add the figs and continue to cook for 5 mins more until the veg is tender.
• Meanwhile, put the couscous and half the chickpeas into a bowl, add the butter, and season. Pour 350ml boiling water over the couscous, cover with cling film, leave aside for 10 mins, then fluff up with a fork.
• In a separate bowl, combine the red onion, spring onions, harissa, olive oil, remaining chickpeas, lemon juice and coriander, then mix into the couscous. Pile onto a large deep serving dish, ladle over the braised vegetables and broth, and sprinkle with the preserved lemons and chopped mint.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat one tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan and add the couscous. Stir until the couscous begins to color and smell toasty, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes, or until the couscous is tender. Drain if any liquid remains in the pan.
• Transfer the couscous to a bowl and add the cilantro, chives, feta, pine nuts, chickpeas and red pepper.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together the lemon juice, salt, cumin, remaining olive oil, yogurt and Aleppo pepper or chili powder. Toss with the couscous mixture. Refrigerate in a bowl or in containers until ready to take to work or eat.

COUSCOUS WITH CHORIZO & CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Prepare couscous with vegetable stock, according to the packet's instructions.
• Heat olive oil in a large pan and stir fry the chorizo for 3-4 mins. Remove with a slotted spoon and put aside. Add the onion to the oil left in the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in the paprika, cook for 1 min, then tip in the chickpeas and the chicken stock. Return the chorizo to the pan and simmer for 2 mins. Spoon over the couscous and scatter with chopped parsley.

SPEEDY CHICKPEA COUSCOUS WITH PESTO

Steps:

• 1 Pour the broth into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the couscous, chickpeas, pesto, 2 tablespoons of the basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover and let sit until the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
• 2 Taste and adjust for salt and pepper. Fluff with two forks, sprinkle with the remaining 2 table-spoons basil, and serve right away.

COUSCOUS-CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• In a heavy medium saucepan, whisk together the stock, cinnamon,ginger, cumin, and turmeric.
• Add the couscous in a slow steady stream, stirring constantly, and continue to boil, stirring, for 1 minute.
• Cover the pot tightly, remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.
• Fluff the couscous grains with a fork, transfer to a large mixing bowl and let cool.
• Then fluff again, rubbing with your fingers to break up any lumps.
• Mix the carrot, bell pepper, cucumber, onion, apple, currants and chick peas and toss with the lemon juice. Add to the couscous.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Add desired amount of vinaigrette and stir until well mixed.
• Cover and refrigerate for several hours or up to 3 days.
• Season with additional salt, pepper, lemon juice, and/or vinaigrette to taste before serving.

COUSCOUS WITH CHICKPEAS, SPINACH AND MINT

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in a generous pinch of salt, the garlic and the spices. Stir together for about half a minute, until the garlic is fragrant, and add the drained chickpeas, 2 quarts water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Add the tomato paste, the harissa and salt to taste. Bring back to a simmer and simmer 45 minutes to an hour, until the chickpeas are tender. Remove 1 cup of the broth to flavor the couscous.
• Reconstituting and steaming the couscous: In a large microwave-safe bowl combine the couscous and salt to taste. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the couscous and add the cup of broth you removed from the stew. Stir well, or moisten your fingers and rub the couscous with them to evenly distribute the oil and broth. Add enough water to cover by 1/2 inch and let sit for 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Stir every 5 minutes with a wooden spoon or rub the couscous between your moistened thumbs and fingers, so that the couscous doesn't lump. The couscous will now be fairly soft; fluff it with a fork or with your hands. The traditional way to finish reconstituting the couscous is to place it above the simmering stew for 45 minutes. I find, however, that steaming it in a microwave results in perfectly fluffy couscous. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic and pierce the plastic with the tip of a paring knife. Heat at 100 percent power for 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave carefully and allow to sit for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plastic and fluff with forks or a spoon. Cover again with plastic and microwave for 2 to 3 more minutes. Be very careful when you remove the plastic as the couscous will be steamy. You can reconstitute the couscous a day ahead and reheat in the microwave shortly before serving.
• Shortly before serving, stir in the spinach and the mint. Simmer 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. The stew should be spicy and flavorful. Serve the couscous in wide bowls or mound onto plates and top with the stew. Pass more harissa at the table.

CURRIED COUSCOUS WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• In a large pot, cook onion, red pepper and garlic in the olive oil over medium low heat until soft, about 7 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, chickpeas, peas, corn and spices and continue to cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
• Add broth, increase heat and bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover, remove from heat and let sit for 6 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork and serve immediately or pack for tomorrow's lunch!