Classic Couscous

At a family gathering, my cousin declared he had perfected the ultimate couscous recipe. As he set the dish down with a flourish, our notoriously blunt uncle Jack piped up, “Couscous? More like confused-cous! Did the grains get into a bar fight or what?” Everyone burst out laughing, and my cousin turned bright red. But as soon as we all took a bite, the laughter turned into groans of delight. The couscous was absolutely perfect, and even Uncle Jack had to admit defeat. From that night on, every time someone mentioned couscous, Uncle Jack’s joke became part of the tradition. We may laugh at the name, but we definitely respect the taste!

Ingredients:

Couscous:

• 2 cups couscous
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large potatoes, diced
• 2 large carrots, sliced
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Garnish:

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.

Step 2: Preparing the Sauce

In the same pot, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced potatoes and sliced carrots, stirring to coat them in the oil. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften. The key here is to stir frequently to prevent the vegetables from sticking to the pot.

Step 3: Adding Broth and Spices

Add the chicken broth to the pot along with salt, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Combining Ingredients

Stir in the chickpeas, peas, and the previously cooked chicken. Continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend together. The vegetables should be tender, and the sauce slightly thickened by now.

Step 5: Preparing and Mixing the Couscous

Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. Remove from heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the saucepan and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains.

Once the couscous is ready, add it to the pot with the sauce and vegetables. Mix well to combine, ensuring the couscous is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and cilantro before serving. Enjoy your hearty and flavorful chicken and vegetable couscous!