Today was a nearly perfect day – with things going as planned, rains generously hitting the city, water crisis in the house somewhat better, chores getting done before schedule and one dirty window sill cleared of pigeon droppings, and me managing to catch 2 episodes of Jeeves and Wooster in the afternoon while baby was sleeping. And hey, the little boy entertained himself with a kitchen towel, a tomato and a cooker-vessel. Was that a sign??
If so many nice things in one day could not propel me to start posting on my food blog, then probably nothing could. Besides, what I cooked this evening for supper turned out so colourful and camera friendly, especially to a person behind the camera who off late has been clicking just her baby.
It’s a simple couscous and veggies, one plate dish – high on the health quotient and surprisingly high on taste factor too. In short, it is a speedy route to a healthy dinner. You can choose any variety of squash on hand as an addition along with any number of fresh herbs as a garnish. I used what I had on hand and the result has turned out superb. Next time I will also consider throwing in some eggplant wedges to roast along with the other veggies. I have added Nutrela granules to up the protein content, but it is optional.
Couscous with roasted vegetables
Makes one generous plate
Time taken – Under 30 minutes, but under 5-7 minutes of active time
Shopping guide
Quick Dinner Recipe: Couscous with roasted vegetables
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup couscous
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups water boiling hot
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 - 5 cloves garlic fat , peeled and smashed
- 1 carrot medium - peeled , cut into diagonal slices
- 1/2 beet medium - peeled , cut into diagonal slices
- 1 strips green bell pepper medium - cut into
- 1 onion small - peeled , cut into thick slices
- 1/4 cup cabbage shredded
- Handful peas frozen
- 2 - 3 green chillies , whole
- oregano dried . I used onesachet
- oregano seasoning that comes
- basil black pepper . Fresh leaves and freshly ground to garnish
Instructions
- Place the couscous, Nutrela granules and salt in a large bowl and pour a cup and a half of boiling water on the top. Mix with a fork, cover and let it sit for 5 minutes. If it gets too dry, add some more water, cover and wait a few more minutes, before fluffing up with a fork. Keep aside.
- In a large skillet, heat a tbsp or more of olive oil. Throw in smashed garlic cloves, let them turn light brown on a medium flame. Next add all veggies except frozen peas (if using fresh shelled peas, then add that in along with the rest). Turn them around on a medium-high flame for 2-3 minutes. The veggies must not overcrowd the skillet - let them be spread out in a layer as they get roasted on a low to medium flame for 7-10 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper and oregano. You can add some chilli flakes for extra spice.
- Spread the couscous on a large plate and transfer the roasted veggies over it. Flavour with some extra virgin olive oil on top, fresh basil leaves and more freshly cracked pepper.
- Dig in.
Welcome back. Nothing quite like colourful and healthy one dish meals, I say. Less work all around. :)Atri is such a darling in those pics. I remember, at this age they’re happier with things from the kitchen. Wait till he starts getting around. Then you’ll be very busy!And yes, once you have a kid, the kid always comes first, even when they’re grown up! Just the way things are.
Hi Nandita!So happy to see you back and enjoying posting. Good to hear about Atri and his inherited interests in the DNA :)The dish looks wonderful more like a couscous salad.I am sure you are taking good care of yourself. I need not tell a doc;)
Welcome back. That’s one colourful and yummy looking dish.
Welcome back, Nandita! The roasted vegetables look very tempting! I’m sure you are waiting for Atri to grow up a little so you will have your own little sous-chef 🙂
Welcome back. Yours was one among the few blogs which I used to visit very often when I had discovered food blogs. Happy to see you back.I like the taste of couscous and that to with roasted veggies. yummy.
It’s always worth the long wait to read your posts! This dish looks yummy enough to eat right off the screen!So nice to read about little Atri – as Nupur said, he will one day be a wonderful sous-chef for you!
Oh Nandita! Now that is a plate fit for a feast. Just look at those colours.
Aparna – one dish meals are the only ones possible these days, especially dinner, when I can’t wait to crash :)Anjali – too early to say, but I’ll be happy if he’s interested in cooking as well 🙂 I’m taking as good care of myself as I can without overdosing on food :)Jayashree, Nupur – thanks! Nupur, you bet!Lakshmi – i’m glad to be back myself, just hope I can sustain this.Kamini – missed reading your blog all these days, have to get back. Lost all my bookmarks somewhere in the middle.CYnthia – Loved the colours myself – egged me to finally take a food-photo…hope your book is doing very well!
congratulations on the arrival of your little baby nandita 🙂 glad to see you blogging again !
A new baby! Thats wonderful, congrats 🙂 As an expecting gal myself, it would be wonderful if we could hear snippets about your life as a mom. Have fun and take care!
welcome back!I make this stuff very often… the base is usually dalia or cornmeal… should try it with couscous 🙂 In winters, this becomes such a colourful dish 🙂
Hi Nandita,I made this dish last night for dinner and it was delicious. I had missed out on beets since I did not have it at home.Thanks for sharing this recipe !!
Again a very good yummy recipe from you. Lingerie news
this is so yummm and colorful. Great Click!
I tried a different variation – I washed wheat rawa and along with a little water put in a vessel and pressure cooked it ( at the same time I kept rice). The steamed rawa I used to make the upma. I thought it was a good idea rather boil or make it like the regular upma. Thought I would share it with you. Nice blog you have here.
Also you can add round cut eggplant and courgatte in roasting veg.
Such a colorful dish…full of healthy goodness. We love your blog name…
what is couscous