Fish and Vegetable Couscous
A flavorful and aromatic couscous dish featuring tender fish, a medley of vegetables, and a blend of Moroccan-inspired spices. This recipe offers a lighter alternative to traditional rice-based dishes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Firm white fish fillets(such as cod, tilapia, or sea bass, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 Carrots(peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 Zucchini(cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 Bell pepper(any color, seeded and chopped)
- 1 14.5 oz can Diced tomatoes(undrained)
- 1 cup Vegetable broth
- 1.5 teaspoons Ras el Hanout
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt(to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper(to taste)
- 1 cup Couscous
- 1.25 cups Water or vegetable broth(for couscous)
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro or parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add minced garlic, carrots, zucchini, and bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- 3
Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, Ras el Hanout, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- 4
Gently add the fish pieces to the simmering vegetable mixture. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and cooked through.
- 5
While the fish is cooking, prepare the couscous according to package directions, using water or broth. Typically, this involves bringing the liquid to a boil, adding the couscous, covering, and letting it sit off the heat for 5 minutes.
- 6
Fluff the cooked couscous with a fork. Serve the fish and vegetable mixture over the couscous. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Do not overcook the fish; it should flake easily.
- ✓Adjust the spice blend to your preference.
- ✓For a richer flavor, use fish broth instead of vegetable broth.
🔄 Variations
- Add chickpeas or lentils for extra protein.
- Incorporate other vegetables like eggplant or sweet potatoes.
- Serve with a dollop of plain yogurt or a squeeze of lemon.