Moroccan Vegetable Chickpeas Couscous


Moroccan Cuisine is one of the most diversified Middle eastern cuisines.Two talented bloggers Sabah of Sousou kitchen and Touria of Cuisine Touria hosted the Moroccan Cuisine for the Walima club December.They choose to celebrate with ever so popular Moroccan Couscous as the savory dish.Do visit their blogs to learn more recipes from the rich cuisine.

A Quick Intro. of Moroccan Cuisine
The Moroccan Cuisine is one of the diversified cuisines in the world. It is a mix of Berber, Spanish, Moorish, Middle eastern, Mediterranean and African Cuisines.
1)Moroccan-Berber cuisine:The Moroccan Cuisine has been influenced by the native Berber cuisine which differs from one area to an other within North Africa.The principal Berber food is:
-Couscous
-Tajine wich is a very diversified dish
-Mechoui or lamb barbecue
-Harira which is a famous Moroccan soup during Ramadan.
-Bread made with traditional yeast

2)Moroccan-Andalusian cuisine:
Andalusian cuisine has also influenced Moroccan Cuisine. Moriscos or (Muslim refugees) who were expelled from Spain during the Spanish inquisition brought with them their civilization. The famous Moroccan Andalusian dish is Pastille which is a wedding dish made of chicken and almonds. Besides pastille, a lot of Moroccan pastries are based on Andalusian pastry such as almond cookies.

3)Moroccan-Middle eastern cuisine:
As Moriscos, Political refugees left Baghdad in the middle ages and settled in Morocco, bringing with them traditional recipes that are now common in Morocco but Forgotten in the middle east. There is a striking similarities between 12th Century collection of recipes by Al-Baghdadi and contemporary Moroccan dishes. A signature characteristic is cooking fruit with meat like quince with lamb or apricots with chicken.

4)Moroccan-Jewish cuisine:Jewish cuisine has also influenced Moroccan Cuisine. The Mizrahi's style is still well noticed in salad starters Made by marinated olive and vegetable.
Moroccan Cuisine is based on the use of different spices but the most characteristic feature is the use of powder ginger in different tajines. Olive oil is also a characteristic of Moroccan Cuisine as it is the case of all the Mediterranean cuisines.


Moroccan Vegetable and Chickpeas Couscous
The recipe is similar to the Colorful Baked chicken couscous posted earlier,this time I stewed just vegetables and chickpeas.
Traditional preparation of couscous can be time consuming ,a special food steamer called "kiskas" is used,in which the vegetables and meat are cooked in the bottom pot while the couscous steams on top,yielding the most flavorful couscous.Whereas the quick cooking couscous ,lot like pasta ,is cooked separately then mixed with spiced vegetables,herbs and chickpeas.
Recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients :
1 lb Whole grain Couscous
1 big carrot,chopped or diced
1 small Zucchini,chopped
1 small squash,chopped diced
1 cup each of broccoli and cauliflower florets
1 small bell pepper,chopped
1 plum red tomato,finely chopped
1 medium onion,finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley and cilantro,chopped
1 cup cooked chickpeas
Spices
1/2 teaspoon each of fresh minced garlic and ginger
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne or chili powder
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

Method
Heat a large pan on medium heat,saute the onions in oil until translucent.Add all the spices and saute for a minute or two before adding the vegetables.Cover and cook until vegetables are tender.Stir in the cooked chick peas towards the end of cooking process.Cook for another minute or two.
Cook the couscous as per the package directions.Fluff with the fork.
To serve either mix the couscous in the vegetables or layer the vegetables over the bed of couscous.I like to garnish with fresh parsley and tomato rose.



Best Wishes for 2010!
Warm wishes of peace and prosperity for the new year ahead to all the viewers.

Comments

Gita Jaishankar said…
What a healthy and protein-packed dish Yasmeen, looks tasty :) Wish You a Very Happy New Year!!!
Pari Vasisht said…
This looks a complete meal in itself. I have not tried Couscous yet, but all posts on it are asking me to indulge soon.
Pari Vasisht said…
Wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Siri said…
Dear Yasmeen,

Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Joyous 2010... I love Moroccon cuisine and the couscous looks very colorful..:)

Cheers,
Siri
PJ said…
The couscous dish looks wonderful and a great intro to Moroccan cuisine.. now I know Moroccan Bereber is the cuisine I had liked most! Couscous is my favorite, its so fast to cook and whole grain variety is really healthy! Thanks for sharing and a very happy new year to you too!
A delicious looking couscous!

Best wishes for 2010!

Cheers,

Rosa
Indhu said…
I love anything with chickpeas and couscous has been on my list of things to try for a realllly long time now. With its short cooking time, it is even more tempting to try :)
Johanna GGG said…
lovely tomato rose - I am trying to get my cous cous mojo back so will be revisiting this recipe

have a happy new year
Ivy said…
The couscous looks delicious. All my best wishes to you and yours. Have a wonderful and happy 2010.
Dershana said…
nice mixto go with couscous! happy 2010, yasmeen!
Dori said…
Ah, there is just so much good food all over the world! This looks sooooo healthy and delicious! Yum!
Joanne said…
Happy New Year Yasmeen!

I absolutely love Moroccan food. It is so diverse and flavorful. This looks like a delicious dish. So vibrant, full of color and deliciousness.
Sam said…
Happy 2010!
Malar Gandhi said…
Dear Yasmeen,

Wish You Happy New Year.:)

Thats lot of info' about moroccan cuisine...good to know that.

I like couscous...your presentation is too good, very inviting:)
SE said…
Its been great to know you in 2009 and wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous new year !!!
Anonymous said…
Lovely Nutritious couscous!
Wishing you a very Happy new year 2010! much love,mia :)
Sirisha said…
Great dish with so many vegetables.Happy new year to you.
Unknown said…
Have a joyful year ahead and hope to see many more healthy recipes next year.
Anonymous said…
Thank you for the beautiful picture/wishes :)!Same to you!!!
You know that I love chickpeas,and I love you and your blog :)!
Bharti said…
Looks fantastic as usual! Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthful new year!
Shija said…
Delicious all veggie couscous.Have a rocking new year.
Shri said…
Looks great and delicious, Yasmeen!Wish you and your family a very happy and a prosperous new year!
Cham said…
Love this moroccan couscous!
Wishing u and ur family a Prosperous New Year!
Dolly Sharma said…
A beautiful, colorful and healthy dish. Love ur Moroccan Vegetable Chickpeas Couscous. Superb Click. Thanks for the information on Moroccan cuisine. Wishing you and your family a happy, fun filled and healthy 2010. Also let me thank you for all the love and support extended to me and my blog. That surely is a great motivation to keep blogging.
Namitha said…
That looks scrumptious..Wish you too a wonderful 2010 !!!
I adore Moroccan cuisine, it has wonderful and tasty dishes, like this couscous, yum yum :)

The Best 2010 to you and to your family!

Cheers,

Gera
Simona said…
Happy 2010.I like the couscous served up so full of vegetables.
Sarah said…
Happy New year!
Unknown said…
You too have a splendid one.Love the vibrant look of the couscous.
Arlette said…
what an awesome and healthy my dear friend...
the photos and the flavours are awesome....
thanks for participating...
All the best for a peaceful and healthy New Year, with lots of yummy recipes .
sabah said…
Thanks for participating Yasmeen, the couscous looks delicious, colorful.
Happy New Year !
Thank You a ton for writing such a wonderful piece of information. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing the such information with us.

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