Spicy Couscous Pilaf / Pulao with Chickpea and Vegetables

Couscous pilaf
Cook Time 30 mins
Cooking Method: ,
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 4
Description

Spicy Couscous Pilaf with Chickpea and vegetable recipe combines the traditional couscous with an array of spices, vegetables, nuts and raisins making it a complete meal. 

Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup Couscous - dry
  • 1 cup Water or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup Diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup Thinly chopped or diced cabbage
  • 1/2 cup Fresh or frozen green peas
  • 1 Red onion - medium size - diced
  • 1 cup Green and Red Bell pepper - diced
  • 1/2 cup Zucchini - diced
  • 1 cup Canned / Boiled chickpeas
  • 2 Roma tomatoes - deseeded and diced
  • 2 tsp Garlic- minced
  • 1 tsp Coriander powder
  • 1 tsp Cummin powder
  • 1 tsp Red chili powder - Cayenne or any spicy variety
  • 1.5 tsp Salt (Adjust as per taste)
  • 1/2 cup Chopped almonds
  • 1/2 cup Cashew - chopped
  • 1/2 cup Raisins
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro - chopped
  • 3 tbsp Cooking Oil
  • 4 tsp Hot sauce
Instructions
  1. 1

    Section – 1:  Boiling the Couscous

    It is very important to use the right proportion of water and dry couscous to get the right texture and softness of couscous grains.

    • Bring water to boil in a pan. Add the diced carrots and cabbage.
    • Let the veggies boil for a couple of minutes. Then add fresh green peas.
    • After another couple of minutes, add two teaspoons of cooking oil and 1 tsp salt into the boiling water. Stir well.
    • Add the couscous. Stir continuously for a minute.
    • Lower the heat and let the couscous simmer for another couple of minutes.
    • Check if all the water has evaporated and the couscous grains look puffed and separated.
    • Give the couscous a final stir and remove from heat. Close the lid.
  2. 2

    Section – 2 :  Preparing the Pilaf

    • Heat the cooking oil in a sauté pan on medium heat for couple of minutes.
    • When the oil is hot, reduce heat to lowest level.
    • Add the minced garlic and stir well until the raw smell of garlic disappears.
    • Add Onions and stir continuously until the onions turn semi-transparent.
    • Increase heat to medium level.
    • Add bell peppers and keep stirring for another minute.
    • Add zucchini and keep stirring for another minute
    • Now lower the heat and add all spice powders – coriander, cumin and red chili powders.
    • Mix well. Add salt
    • Add chickpeas and tomatoes.
    • Mix well. Taste and adjust the spice and salt levels.
    • Add boiled Couscous and veggies mixture.
    • Mix well.
    • Before removing from heat, add hot sauce and give a final stir.
    • Remove from heat and keep the lid closed.
  3. 3

    Section – 3 :  Preparing the garnishing

    • In a small frying pan, heat 2-3 teaspoons of oil for 1 minute on medium heat
    • Add chopped almonds and cashews. Stir until they start to turn light brown in color. Lower the heat.
    • Add raisins and continue stirring. Turn off the heat as soon as raisins start to swell and turn crispy.

    Serve the couscous with a garnish of chopped cilantro, nuts and raisins.

     

Notes
  1. You can add any other types of veggies or also reduce the number of veggies as indicated in the recipe.
  2. You can refrigerate the couscous pilaf and reheat before eating.
Keywords: Spicy, Couscous, vegetables, Pilaf, healthy, mediterranean,
Read it online: https://www.mellowmasala.com/recipe/spicy-couscous-pilaf/
Vinay Mummigatti

I love traveling, cooking, and reading. This blog is a reflection of my passion for cooking. Food is a representation of culture and I have tried to assimilate foods from different cultures across the world. I am an Indian by birth who moved to the USA 20 years back. I hope my recipes and articles bring new experiences and joy to the readers. Please share your comments and feedback.