Couscous with Chicken and Tomatoes

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 chicken , cut into portions
• 4 ounces cooked chickpeas (tinned are easiest)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 medium onion
• 2 carrots
• 4 large ripe tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• 1 ounce chopped parsley
• 12 ounces couscous
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Peel and trim the vegetables.
2. Fry the chicken pieces in half the olive oil until lightly browned.
3. Add the sliced onion and the chopped garlic, the tomato purée and enough water just to cover the chicken.
4. Season generously and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add the cooked chick peas, the carrots, cut into batons (lengthwise into quarters), and the tomatoes, cut into 8 pieces each.
6. Mix the couscous with its own volume of water and the remaining olive oil.
7. Stir it and leave it to swell up for about 15 minutes.
8. To cook: place it in a colander or sieve over a pan of boiling water (traditionally its done over the stew but this can be hazardous), steam for 20-25 minutes until swollen and cooked through.
9. To serve: stir a knob of butter into the couscous and pile in a ring around a large dish.
10. Spoon the chicken and vegetables into the centre of the dish and pass the sauce separately.
11. It can have a little chili added to give it extra pungency.

Reviews

[BeckyF]

I cooked this meal for my husband, brother-in-law and sister-in-law and it went over really well. My sister-in-law is going to start getting some of the recipes because of serving them this one dish.

[minneapplegirl]

Thanks for a very nice recipe that doesn't call for lots of foreign ingredients. I did make a few modifications. I cooked the chicken separately in my pressure cooker then broke into chunks using the liquid as part of the base for the stew. I made the couscous in the stew sans the chicken (was slightly confused by the couscous cooking instructions)and then added the chicken pieces back into the dish just before serving. I also substituted sofrito for the tomato puree.

[Madi]

I made this last night and my husband loved it. My youngin' (9 years old) wasn't real keen on it, but this really isn't a "kid" recipe. I found the directions confusing, they need to be clarified. The recipe didn't state how long to cook for after adding the tomatoes, carrots, chick peas, etc. I simmered for about 30 minutes more after adding those items until dish was at the consistency I wanted. All in all it was a good dish (not amazing but good). The directions just need repairing--might be confusing for someone who can't or doesn't like to adlib with recipes.