Christmas Eve Couscous

Vegetarian Christmas Eve Couscous Recipe with Chickpeas and Broad Beans

Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Servings: 6 |

Vegetarian diet

Introduction

Christmas Eve Couscous is a flavorful and hearty dish that is perfect for a festive holiday meal. This dish combines a rich and aromatic vegetable stew with fluffy couscous, creating a satisfying and delicious meal that is sure to impress your guests.

History

Couscous is a traditional North African dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is made from steamed and dried granules of durum wheat, and is a staple in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. The addition of a vegetable stew to couscous creates a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a special occasion like Christmas Eve.

Ingredients

Vegetable stew

2 oz (57 g) oil
1 lb (454 g) onions, sliced
1 lb (454 g) carrots, sliced
1.5 lb (680 g) acorn squash -- peeled, seeded and diced
1 tsp ground ginger
0.5 tsp powdered cinnamon
0.5 tsp turmeric
0.25 tsp ground white pepper, or more
1.5 pt (710 ml) water or vegetable stock
1 lb (454 g) courgettes -- trimmed and sliced
1 lb (454 g) frozen broad beans
salt
1 each squeeze lemon juice
1 dash sugar
chopped fresh coriander

Couscous

1 lb (454 g) couscous
1 tsp salt
2 oz (57 g) butter
1 tbsp harissa sauce
15 oz (425 g) canned chickpeas, drained
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
6 oz (170 g) raisins
4 oz (113 g) pine nuts
8 oz (227 g) soy yogurt
a dusting of paprika

How to prepare

First, prepare the stew.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
Add the onions and fry for 5 minutes, then add the carrots, squash, and spices.
Cook for a further 10 minutes, with a lid on, stirring occasionally until all the ingredients are well-coated and flavorful.
Add the water or stock and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are just becoming tender.
Add the courgettes and broad beans, and cook for another 5 minutes or so.
Season with salt, lemon juice, and a little sugar if needed (this stew is best made in advance and reheated, as the flavors improve -- it is particularly good after freezing).

Couscous

This is an unusual method for cooking couscous, but I find it yields the best results.
Put the couscous into a baking tin and add 1 pt (473 ml) of water; immediately drain this off and return the couscous to the tin.
Leave it for 20 minutes, separating the grains with your fingers after 10 minutes, or more times if necessary.
Put the couscous into a sieve or steamer lined with a blue j-cloth.
Set it over a pan of simmering water (it doesn't have to be the stew) for 20 minutes.
Transfer the couscous back into the baking tin and pour over 5 fl oz (148 ml) of cold water with the dissolved salt.
Sift the grains with your fingers and leave for 15 minutes, then put back into the lined steamer and heat as mentioned above for another 20 minutes.
Sift with your fingers into a serving bowl and stir in the butter.
Set it aside while you prepare the extras.
To assemble and serve, take a ladleful of liquid from the stew and add it to the harissa to make a thick paste.
Put this into a small bowl.
Drain the chickpeas.
In a small pan, heat the oil and add the cumin seeds, stirring for a moment or two, then add the chickpeas and stir until heated through.
Put them into a second small bowl.
Cover the raisins with boiling water, leave for 10 minutes or longer to plump, then drain and put into a third small bowl.
Put the pine nuts into a fourth bowl -- they can be lightly toasted if you like.
Finally, put the yogurt into a fifth bowl and sprinkle the top with some paprika.
To serve, ladle the stew over the couscous and garnish with chopped fresh coriander.

Variations

Add diced bell peppers or eggplant to the vegetable stew for added flavor and texture.
Substitute the acorn squash with butternut squash or sweet potatoes for a different twist on the dish.
Use quinoa or rice instead of couscous for a gluten-free alternative.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To enhance the flavor of the stew, be sure to cook the vegetables until they are well-coated and flavorful before adding the stock.

- For the best results, use a steamer to cook the couscous. This method helps to ensure that the grains are light and fluffy.

- To add a spicy kick to the dish, mix harissa sauce with a ladleful of stew liquid to create a flavorful paste.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Christmas Eve Couscous with a side of fresh salad or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Pair it with a glass of red wine or sparkling water for a festive touch.

Cooking Techniques

Use a steamer to cook the couscous for light and fluffy grains.

- Toast the pine nuts before adding them to the dish for a nutty and aromatic flavor.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use vegetable broth instead of vegetable stock for a lighter flavor.

- Substitute raisins with dried cranberries or apricots for a different taste.

Make Ahead Tips

The vegetable stew can be made in advance and reheated before serving. The couscous can also be prepared ahead of time and reheated with a splash of water to fluff up the grains.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Christmas Eve Couscous in a large serving bowl, garnished with fresh coriander and a sprinkle of paprika. Arrange the chickpeas, raisins, and pine nuts in separate bowls for guests to add as desired.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Christmas Eve Couscous with a glass of red wine, such as a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, for a festive and elegant meal. Alternatively, serve it with a fruity white wine or sparkling water for a lighter option.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers of Christmas Eve Couscous in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the dish in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to keep the couscous moist.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Christmas Eve Couscous contains approximately 400 calories. This makes it a satisfying and filling meal that is perfect for a holiday feast.

Carbohydrates

The Christmas Eve Couscous is a carbohydrate-rich dish, with the couscous providing a good source of complex carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are essential for providing energy and fueling your body throughout the day.

Fats

The dish contains healthy fats from ingredients such as olive oil, butter, and pine nuts. These fats are important for supporting overall health and providing essential nutrients to the body.

Proteins

The Christmas Eve Couscous is a good source of plant-based proteins from ingredients such as chickpeas and soy yogurt. These proteins are important for building and repairing tissues in the body.

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is rich in vitamins and minerals from the variety of vegetables used in the stew. Carrots provide vitamin A, while squash offers vitamin C. Additionally, chickpeas are a good source of iron and fiber.

Alergens

This dish contains nuts (pine nuts) and soy yogurt, which may be allergens for some individuals. Be sure to check for any allergies before serving this dish to guests.

Summary

Overall, Christmas Eve Couscous is a nutritious and well-balanced dish that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a special occasion like Christmas Eve.

Summary

Christmas Eve Couscous is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for a festive holiday meal. This dish combines a rich and aromatic vegetable stew with fluffy couscous, creating a delicious and nutritious meal that is sure to impress your guests. Enjoy this dish with your loved ones on Christmas Eve for a memorable and delicious dining experience.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the excitement that washed over me when I first saw this recipe. It was Christmas Eve, many years ago, and my dear friend Maria had invited me over to her house for a festive dinner. As soon as I walked through the door, the warm and inviting aroma of spices filled the air, making my mouth water in anticipation.

Maria greeted me with a smile and a hug, leading me to the kitchen where she was busy preparing a large pot of couscous. I had never tried this dish before, but the colorful array of vegetables and fragrant spices had me intrigued.

"Come, sit down and I'll show you how to make Christmas Eve Couscous," Maria said, pulling out a worn and stained recipe card from a drawer. As she read through the ingredients and instructions, my heart swelled with joy. This was a special recipe that had been passed down through generations in her family, and now she was sharing it with me.

As we chopped, sautéed, and simmered, Maria told me stories of her own grandmother who used to make this dish every Christmas Eve. She described how the whole family would gather around the table, sharing laughter and stories as they enjoyed the fragrant and flavorful couscous.

I could feel the love and tradition that infused every step of the cooking process. Maria's hands moved with a practiced ease, a testament to the years of making this dish with care and attention to detail.

As the couscous cooked and the flavors melded together, Maria and I sat at the kitchen table, sipping on glasses of wine and reminiscing about holidays past. The kitchen was filled with warmth and laughter, a feeling of togetherness that I would never forget.

Finally, the moment of truth arrived as Maria served up steaming bowls of Christmas Eve Couscous. The aroma that wafted up from the bowl transported me to a place of comfort and joy, a place where family and tradition reigned supreme.

With each bite, I could taste the love and dedication that Maria had poured into this dish. The tender couscous, the hearty vegetables, the rich and spicy flavors all combined to create a symphony of taste that danced on my tongue.

As I savored each mouthful, I knew that this recipe would become a treasured part of my own culinary repertoire. I would make it every Christmas Eve, just like Maria and her grandmother before her.

Years passed, and the recipe for Christmas Eve Couscous became a staple in my own family. My children grew up with the tradition of gathering around the table on Christmas Eve, sharing stories and laughter as we enjoyed this special dish.

Now, as I sit in my kitchen, preparing Christmas Eve Couscous for another holiday season, I am filled with gratitude for the gift that Maria gave me all those years ago. The recipe that she shared with me has not only nourished my body but has also fed my soul with memories of love, family, and tradition.

And as I take that first bite of fragrant couscous, I know that I am passing on a piece of my heart to my own family, creating new memories and traditions that will last for generations to come.