White Beans And Veggies With Couscous Recipes

WHITE BEANS AND VEGGIES WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute zucchini and onion until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute., Stir in beans, tomatoes and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened and zucchini is tender, 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine water, butter and salt; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve bean mixture with couscous. Freeze option: Freeze cooled bean mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

COUSCOUS WITH TOMATOES, WHITE BEANS, SQUASH AND PEPPERS

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 onion is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in the garlic, the spices and salt to taste. Stir together for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fragrant, and add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, 2 quarts water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.
• Add the harissa, sweet and hot peppers, squash and salt to taste. Bring back to a simmer and simmer 45 minutes to an hour, until the beans are tender. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and simmer another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Remove a cup of the broth for seasoning the couscous. The stew should be spicy and flavorful.
• 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 it 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.
• Reheat the stew and the couscous. Serve the couscous in wide bowls or mound onto plates and top with the stew. Pass more harissa at the table.

ROASTED VEGGIES WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat your grill to a high heat, outdoor or indoor.
• Brush vegetables lightly with olive oil, and place them on the grill. Cook, flipping over occasionally, until just tender.
• While the vegetables are grilling, bring water, salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and couscous to boil in a large pot. Once the water has come to a boil, remove the pot from the heat and let it stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork when done. Let couscous cool to room temperature.
• Place couscous on a plate and top with veggies. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and Balsamic vinegar.

CHICKEN AND SUMMER VEGETABLE STEW WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For the chicken stew: Put the garlic, carrots, onion, cinnamon, raisins, ginger, cumin, paprika, sugar, turmeric, 1 tablespoon salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large saucepan or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the carrots start to get tender, about 15 minutes. Add the chicken, chickpeas, tomatoes and zucchini and stir to combine. Return to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the stew is slightly thickened and fragrant and the vegetables are tender enough to cut with the side of a fork, but still hold their shapes, about 15 minutes. (If the vegetables are fork-tender a bit sooner, remove them to a bowl while the liquid reduces then return them to the pot when ready to serve.) Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks.
• For the couscous: Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil with the butter and salt in a small saucepan. Stir in the couscous, remove from the heat, cover and set aside until the water has been absorbed and the couscous is plump, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
• For the topping: Combine the cilantro, parsley, almonds, pistachios and raisins in a medium bowl.
• To serve, divide the couscous among bowls, top with the stew and sprinkle with the herb topping. Serve with harissa and yogurt on the side.

WHITE BEANS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Rinse and sort dried beans and place in a large soup pot.
• Add water and soak overnight(or use package directions for quick method).
• After soaking (do not drain) add salt and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1-1 1/2 hours, until nearly tender.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Return to a boil.
• Cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Serve with fresh, warm bread.
• NOTE: Leftovers from this dish can be served cold on lettuce leaves for a salad. Garnish with lemon slices and tomato wedges.

WHITE BEAN, SPINACH, AND COUSCOUS BAKE (GLUTEN-FREE & VEGAN

Steps:

• For the vegan option: Substitute Mozzarella Rice Shreds for the Creamy Toscano cheese and sprinkle the top of your dish with Parma!
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Gently saute the onion until tender about 4-5 minutes then add the minced garlic and saute 2-3 minutes more until softened and onions are translucent. Add the drained fire roasted tomatoes and crush any large chunks with a potato masher or the back of a fork. Add the white beans and allow to cook for 5-7 minutes or until beans are warmed through, stirring frequently. Just before the beans are cooked through add the fresh spinach and gently turn and toss so that it will start to wilt, about 1-2 minutes.
• In a large bowl combine 2 cups of the precooked couscous, reserved tomato juice, minced basil, pine nuts, salt and pepper; mix thoroughly. Fold the bean and tomato mixture into the couscous mixture until combined then spread half of it into the bottom of a shallow baking dish or individual ramekins. Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the dish then top with the remaining couscous mixture. Cover the dish with foil and bake 15-25 minutes until warmed through and bubbly. At the very end of the cooking time uncover the baking dish and pop it under the broiler just to lightly brown the top, 1-2 minutes max.