Moroccan Couscous With Saffron

Alicia Silverstone Alicia Silverstone
posted Jan 11, 2011
Editorial
0
Attached Recipe Photo

The holidays can be a challenging time for us Kind Lifers in some cases, but can also be a very exciting opportunity to spread the kind love. One of the best ways to ensure you eat well during this time is to help with the cooking! If you will be attending non-veg holiday dinners, asking the host if you can bring a side dish is a great strategy. Some of my favorite side dishes are the Moroccan Couscous With Saffron from my book (p. 148), Rice Pilaf With Caramelized Onions (p. 235), and Black-Eyed Pea Croquettes (p. 242).

Ingredients

  • 2 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/4" to 1/2" cubes
  • 2 cups yellow onion, large dice
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots, cut into 1/4" to 1/2" cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups zucchini, cut into 3/4" cubes
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Pinch of fine sea salf
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons Earth Balance butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous
  • 2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Place the squash, onion, carrots and zucchini on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  3. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once with a spatula about midway through.
  4. While the vegetables roast, bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cumin, saffron and salt to taste.
  6. Cover the pan and steep for 15 minutes.
  7. Scrape the roasted vegetables and their juices into a large bowl, and add the couscous.
  8. Bring the vegetable broth back to a boil, and pour over the couscous mixture all at once.
  9. Cover tightly with a plate and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
  10. Add the scallions, toss the couscous and vegetables with a fork, and serve.
  • cook time
    60 min.
  • prep time
    20 min.
  • yields
    6 serv.

Diet Categories:

  • Vegan

Ingredient Restrictions:

  • Peanut Free
  • Soy Free
  • Sugar Free
  • Tree Nut Free

Join the Discussion!

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  • Jackie Tangarone Esposito
    Feb 5, 2012 at 5:57pm
    0 0
    made this the other night and it was realllly good! I totally forgot to get the zucchini and the saffron was too expensive. it's something i will make again, and i'll try to budget for some saffron to see what i missed out on the 1st time around!
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  • Cosabella
    Dec 20, 2011 at 1:13pm
    0 0
    My absolute favorite! I usually make one big pot and eat it for days. Once I added 1/4 tsp of curry powder - delicious addition!
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  • natalie1981
    Jun 8, 2011 at 2:48am
    0 0
    This was the first recipie from your book that I made too! I still have it about once a week, its delicious! And even my meat eating fa,ily love it!
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  • Carla Arton
    Mar 25, 2011 at 9:33pm
    0 0
    My husband and I love this recipe. We don't use the oil, butter or the saffron and we added figs. Thanks for the great dish!
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  • Donnelle Kenton
    Feb 28, 2011 at 2:50pm
    0 0
    This is the first dish I made from the kind diet book. It is soooo yummy! I didn't use saffron, because I couldn't find it. But it was still amazing!
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  • mommyfirst
    Feb 13, 2011 at 12:08pm
    0 0
    Great recipe! for me though I am poor and saffron is very expensive so I used tumeric instead... probably very different but it still tasted great... and I also recommend doubling the veggies!
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