Couscous Veggie Surprise

Submitted by Anu_N

"This is a nutritious, low(non?)-fat veggie main dish that I thought up on my way home from driving class today. So I came home and made this for lunch, and really surprised myself, since it tasted better than I had imagined! The secret ingredient here is cinnamon... don't be afraid to try it!"

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 14

ingredients

• 1 tablespoon lentils, toasted (I use yellow lentils)
• 1 cup water
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1⁄8 cup shredded carrot
• 1⁄4 cup shredded cabbage
• 1⁄4 cup frozen peas
• 1⁄4 cup couscous
• 1⁄2 teaspoon butter (optional)
• cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons chopped onions
• 1⁄2 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pepper
• paprika

directions

1. Combine lentils and water in a medium sized pot and bring to a boil over a high flame.
2. Reduce flame to low, cover, and simmer.
3. After 10 minutes, uncover, add 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste), and the shredded carrots and cabbage.
4. Replace cover, and simmer again.
5. After 5 more minutes, uncover again, add the frozen peas, cover, and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
6. Now remove from flame, drain, and reserve the lentil-veggie water.
7. If necessary, add some additional water to bring the reserved water to 3/8 cup quantity.
8. In a separate saucepan, bring this water to a boil, add the couscous, stir once, switch off burner, cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
9. After 5 minutes, uncover, and fluff up the couscous with a fork.
10. Toss with 1/2 teaspoon butter, if desired.
11. Meanwhile, spray a non-stick saucepan with cooking spray and saute the onions in it over a medium flame until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
12. Now add the drained lentil-veggie mixture, soy sauce, cinnamon, pepper, paprika and saute on a low flame until the mixture is fairly dry.
13. Mix in with the cooked couscous, and eat immediately!

Reviews

[L DJ3309]

My son likes soups or casserole dishes in his lunch. Didn't have either this morning (he'd finished off the casserole I made for dinner). Then I remembered your recipe, and I had all the ingredients. I added toasted walnuts to give it some texture. Glad I doubled the recipe, he came in and wanted a taste. Then proceeded to eat, eat......

 

[ladypit]

I multiplied this up to 5 servings but did not multiply the water that much. I also omitted the butter. I used yellow lentils which sort of smushed into nothingness; next time I'd use a lentil that would not break down so much. I'd recommend using the higher end of the soy sauce range if you like strong flavors. My picky 7 year old only ate a few bites, but my 4 year old commented on how good this was!

 

[bbgrl79ca]

maybe I'll try substituting couscous with quinoa

 

[Folk Dancer]

Mw wife and I dance every Saturday night and don't like to eat until after we get home. This dish made the perfect late night light meal. It is easy, quick and very tasty.