Perfectly Cooked Moroccan Couscous

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat couscous
• 1 cup chickpea
• 0.5 cup carrot
• 0.5 cup zucchini
• 0.5 cup red bell peppers
• 0.5 cup onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 whole lemon
• 0.25 cup parsley
• 0.25 cup mint
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Rinse whole wheat couscous under cold water and drain.
2. 2In a medium pot, bring 1.5 cups of water to a boil. Add the couscous, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. 3Meanwhile, dice the carrots, zucchini, and red bell pepper. Finely chop the onion and garlic.
4. 4In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
5. 5Add the diced vegetables to the skillet and cook until tender but still crisp.
6. 6Fluff the couscous with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
7. 7Add the sautéed vegetables, chickpeas, chopped parsley, and mint to the couscous.
8. 8Season with cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
9. 9Zest and juice the lemon, adding both to the couscous mixture. Stir to combine.
10. 10Let the couscous sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
11. 11Serve the couscous warm or at room temperature, garnished with additional parsley and mint if desired.
12. 12Enjoy your Perfectly Cooked Moroccan Couscous as a flavorful and nutritious side dish.