Winter Vegetable Tagine Couscous (Printable version)
Moroccan-style stew blending root vegetables and spices, paired with tender couscous for a warming meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
05 - 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
06 - 1 small turnip, peeled and diced
07 - 1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
08 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
09 - 1 zucchini, sliced
10 - 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and cubed
11 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
12 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
→ Spices & Seasonings
13 - 1 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1 tsp ground coriander
15 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
16 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
17 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
18 - 1/2 tsp ground ginger
19 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
20 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
21 - 2 cups vegetable broth
22 - 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
23 - 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
→ Couscous
24 - 1 1/2 cups couscous
25 - 2 cups boiling water or vegetable broth
26 - 1 tbsp olive oil
27 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Garnish
28 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
29 - Lemon wedges
# How to Prepare:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
02 - Add carrots, parsnips, turnip, sweet potato, bell pepper, zucchini, and butternut squash. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Incorporate ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, smoked paprika, ginger, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the spices release their fragrance.
04 - Stir in chickpeas, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, chopped apricots, and raisins. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
05 - Place couscous in a heatproof bowl. Add boiling water or vegetable broth, olive oil, and salt. Cover tightly and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
06 - Taste the tagine and adjust salt and pepper as needed to balance flavors.
07 - Ladle the tagine over the prepared couscous. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve alongside lemon wedges.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It turns humble winter vegetables into something that feels luxurious and warm without any fuss.
- The spices fill your kitchen with a smell that makes everyone wander in asking whats for dinner.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to settle in together.
02 -
- Do not skip blooming the spices in the pot before adding the liquid, it releases their oils and deepens the flavor in a way that stirring them in later just cannot match.
- If your vegetables are cut unevenly, the smaller pieces will dissolve into the sauce while the larger ones stay intact, which actually creates a nice rustic texture.
03 -
- Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding them to the pot, it intensifies their flavor and makes the whole dish smell incredible.
- Do not be afraid to add a spoonful of honey or maple syrup at the end if the tomatoes are too acidic, it balances everything out without making it taste sweet.