A deliciously put together weeknight meal of Skillet Harissa Couscous with Chickpeas, Spinach and Feta
Couscous is always a favorite in this household. I usually migrate towards the Italian Couscous that is a little bit more bigger than this one just because you feel more full when you eat it. Its just a psychological thing and nothing more. The Lemony Couscous Salad (which was also featured in Buzzfeed) was my go-to couscous recipe always till I decided to experiment a little with other flavors to go with couscous. One of Ottolenghi’s book had a couscous dish with harissa in it and I made it once for a New Year party and it was a huge success. Everyone loved it! One of my favorite recipe with harissa in it is a Harissa marinated Chickpea Salad and I figured why not put the two together.
When FoodieMamas theme for this month was announced to be Couscous, I was beyond thrilled to try out my little recipe idea. My initial thought was to make it cheesy something, but I figured that may not be the best idea and decided to make this wonderful, fresh and aromatic Skillet Harissa Couscous. We all loved it, even the little guy and the husband took it to work the next day for his lunch! So, here is the newest Couscous recipe addition to our family’s dinner file, that I am sharing with all of you.
Skillet Harissa Couscous – The Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup couscous
- 2 cups water
- salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 shallots, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 – 3 tablespoon harissa paste
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- more salt, to taste
- fresh crushed black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup crumbled feta
- juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoon minced parsley, for garnish
Method:
Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil with some salt added to it. Add the couscous. Remove from heat and cover and keep for 3 mins or so. Fluff with a fork and keep aside
Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet and add the shallots and garlic to it. Once browned a little, add the harissa paste and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Throw in the chopped spinach and saute till the spinach wilts.
Add the chickpeas, paprika, salt and pepper and mix well. Lower the heat and add the feta and the lemon juice. Mix well and remove from heat. Garnish with the minced parsley and serve warm.
- 1 cup couscous
- 2 cups water
- salt, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 shallots, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 – 3 tablespoon harissa paste
- 2 cups chopped spinach
- 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- more salt, to taste
- fresh crushed black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup crumbled feta
- juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoon minced parsley, for garnish
- Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil with some salt added to it. Add the couscous. Remove from heat and cover and keep for 3 mins or so. Fluff with a fork and keep aside
- Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet and add the shallots and garlic to it. Once browned a little, add the harissa paste and let it cook for a couple of minutes. Throw in the chopped spinach and saute till the spinach wilts.
- Add the chickpeas, paprika, salt and pepper and mix well. Lower the heat and add the feta and the lemon juice. Mix well and remove from heat. Garnish with the minced parsley and serve warm.
Clyde says
This type of dish is right up my alley. Also, your pictures are mouth watering!
Diane says
This is a beautiful recipe! Couscous is a grain I have worked with in the past. It is a nice light textured base for healthy meals. I'm looking forward to hunting down harissa so I can make this yummy dish!
Becky @ Project Domestication says
This looks like such a hearty, satisfying meal. I love harissa!
Noel says
What a pretty menu item. I love having food that appeals to the eyes as well as the taste buds. This sounds simple enough for a weeknight meal. Adding to my list of recipes to try.
Joanie @ Zagleft says
What a wonderful combination of flavors. This NEEDS to go on my meal plan next week!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I love the aroma of harissa and couscous is one of my favourite things to eat. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Jenjen says
Wow! Very tempting recipes to try plus the pictures? Makes me crave now!
Manju says
Aww. thank you Jenjen!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
So hearty and and such a great flavour combo - perfect comfort food in this frigid weather.
Manju says
It sure is, isnt it! Thanks Jacquee
Sara @ Life's Little Sweets says
This dish looks so flavorful, I bet my family would love it! Pinning for later! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Manju says
Thanks Sara ?
Rebekah says
Mmm this sounds absolutely delicious! Do you think it would work as well with Israeli couscous?
Manju says
Oh yes it should!
lauren says
Love this round up! Stumbled and pinned for later! 🙂
Manju says
Thank you! ?
Anne Murphy says
And I just (finally) got some harissa again... The store where I used to buy it stopped carrying it, and it took me a while to find a new source.
But I have everything but the cous cous which I can't eat - I think I"ll sub millet.) What a perfect combination! Thanks for the inspiration!
Manju says
You are very welcome Anne! The millet should work fine! ?
Brian Jones says
How wonderful, I love cous cous and use it all the time and just so happen to have all the ingredients in for this 😀
Tamara says
This couscous dish looks fabulous! I love harissa, and all of the other ingredients too! I'm hosting a dinner party for several vegetarian friends in a couple of weeks, and this may be on the menu... Pinning!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
This is totally doing it for me. Love, love, love.
Jude Stansbury says
Hi! Sorry, I may have missed it, but when do you incorporate the couscous? Directions to cook, fluff, set aside, but I don’t see in either place for instructions where you add it in. 🙂 Sounds delicious!
Manju says
Hi Jude, it says to add the couscous to the salted water that has been brought to boiling. You let it rest for some time till all the water is absorbed and fluff with a fork. I hope you try this recipe. Its a favorite here! 🙂