Couscous Pilaf

Ingredients:

1 Cup Canadian Couscous (or couscous of your choice)

4 tablespoons olive oil (or oil of your choice)

1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds

3 dried red Chilies/ green chilies

1/2 teaspoon whole black pepper

5 cloves

2 bay leaves

4 curry leaves (optional)

1 table spoon chopped garlic

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar (regular vinegar works too)

1/2 cup cauliflower florets/ broccoli florets

1/2 cup diced peppers (your choice)

1/2 cup diced yellow squash

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons cilantro/parsley

Water for boiling couscous

Method:

1. In a microwave safe bowl add 4 cups of water and 1 cup of couscous and microwave on high for 13 minutes. 

2. Transfer the cooked couscous in a strainer and run cold water on it and leave it aside for about 10 minutes allowing the couscous to dry. Fluff it with a fork.

3. Heat a pan on medium flame and then add oil (olive oil heats in about 5 seconds in a heated pan). Add cumin seeds whole black pepper, cloves,chilies bay leaves, curry leaves and chopped garlic. Do not let the garlic brown.

4. Add cauliflower and cover  the pan till the cauliflower gets tender. You can sprinkle some water to help cauliflower tenderize. This takes about 3 to 4 minutes. If using broccoli, do not cover or sprinkle water. Just saute for a minute

5. Add yellow squash and cook for a minute.

6. Add peppers and tomatoes and cook for another minute

7. Add red wine vinegar and then transfer the couscous to the pan.

8. Season with salt and sugar and mix well. Remove from the heat and transfer it to the serving plate.

9. Top it with cilantro or parsley

Note:

1. Couscous can be cooked in chicken broth too to enhance the taste. Heat 1 1/2 cups chicken broth to one cup couscous. Add couscous. Turn off heat. Let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and then add butter if needed.

2. Add vegetables of your choice (carrots, beans, zucchini, etc)

3. Cumin, cloves, black peppers, bay leaves can be substituted with Italian herbs seasoning. Add the seasoning to heated oil.