Moroccan vegetable stew with couscous

8 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2tablespoonsOlive oil
1largeYellow onion; chopped
6Cloves garlic; minced
2Whole red potatoes; diced
1cupCarrot; diced
2teaspoonsCardamom; ground
1Zucchini; cut in half and sliced
1Yellow squash; cut in half-moons, sliced
½Cauliflower florets
2teaspoonsCurry powder
1teaspoonSalt
1teaspoonBlack pepper; ground
1teaspoonCayenne; ground
½cupRaisins or currants; soaked 15 minutes in warm water to plump
16ouncesTomato; diced
15ouncesTomato sauce
2tablespoonsHoney
15ouncesGarbanzo beans
6cupsWater
3cupsCouscous; uncooked
½cupDried figs; coarsely chopped
cupAlmonds; sliced
1pintPlain yogurt; for garnish
1bunchFresh mint; chopped, for garnish

Directions

In a heavy stockpot, heat the olive oil and saute the onion, garlic, potatoes, carrots, and cardamom. Stir until fragrant, then add the zucchini, yellow squash, and cauliflower. Add curry powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne and stir. Drain the raisins and add to the pot along with the tomatoes, tomato sauce, honey, and garbanzo beans. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender, adding up to 1 cup of water if the stew appears dry. While the stew is cooking, bring the water to a boil in a saucepan and stir in the couscous. Cook for 1 minute, then cover and turn off the heat, letting the couscous sit for 10 minutes.

After the couscous has sat for 5 minutes, stir the figs and almonds into the stew. To serve, fluff up the couscous with a fork. Spoon a mound of couscous on each plate and form a well in the center. Ladle a portion of stew into the well. Garnish with several tablespoons of the yogurt and fresh mint. Serve the remaining yogurt on the side.

NOTES : The Jump Up and Kiss Me Spicy Vegetarian Cooking by Jennifer Trainer Thompson was called to the attention of the Food/Wine group by Brenda Adams. Thanks Brenda, it's a wonderful cookbook published by Ten Speed Press of Berkeley, CA. Serves 6 to 8 Moroccan food is startlingly aromatic. Perfumed with the fragrance of cardamom and accented with the sweetness of currants, one bite of this spicy stew will have you thinking you've just arrived in the city of Fez for a culinary adventure. It's delicious served with Fennel Salad Recipe by: Jump Up & Kiss Me/pg86/tpogue@...

Posted to EAT-LF Digest by Reggie Dwork <reggie@...> on May 13, 1998