Roasted Squash Couscous Salad Food

ROASTED SQUASH & COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375°F/gas 5.
• Peel and chop the squash into large chunks, finely chop the chilli, then place into a roasting dish.
• Scatter over the cumin seeds and thyme sprigs, then toss together with 2 tablespoons of oil. Season with sea salt and roast for 45 to 50 minutes, or until cooked and lightly golden, turning halfway.
• Place the couscous in a bowl and pour over enough boiling water to sit 1cm above the couscous. Cover the bowl and leave for 10 minutes.
• Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry frying pan.
• Uncover and fluff the couscous with a fork, stir in the lemon zest and juice, the roasted squash and 2 tablespoons of oil. Serve scattered with the pumpkin seeds.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH SQUASH

Steps:

• Cook 1 1/2 cups Israeli couscous as the label directs. Meanwhile, cook 1 small chopped onion, 1 teaspoon chopped thyme, 1 cup cubed butternut squash, 3 chopped dates and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a skillet with olive oil until just tender, 6 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and cook 4 minutes. Stir in the couscous, 1/2 cup chopped pistachios and 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; season with salt and pepper.

ROASTED VEG & COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut peppers and squash into bite-size pieces (leave skin on the squash). Tip all the veg into a baking tray, add garlic, 2 tbsp oil and seasoning, then mix and roast for 20 mins. Add onion, cumin, harissa and almonds. Roast for another 20 mins, then cool.
• Put couscous into a large bowl, pour over the stock, cover, then set aside for 10 mins. Fluff up with a fork.
• In a bowl, mix zest, juice and remaining oil. Squeeze garlic pulp from skins into the bowl, mash well and fold in the mint. Pour over the veg, then toss with the couscous.

VEGETABLE COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the first 10 ingredients. Refrigerate until serving., Cook couscous according to package directions. Meanwhile, brush the zucchini, yellow peppers and eggplant with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, over medium heat until crisp-tender, 10-12 minutes, turning once., Chop grilled vegetables; place in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, olives, parsley, basil and couscous. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Serve warm or chilled.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F.
• Halve lemons and scoop out flesh, keeping both flesh and peel. Cut enough peel into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1/4 cup. Put lemon flesh in a sieve set over a bowl and press with back of a spoon to extract juice.
• Toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil and salt to taste in a large shallow baking pan and spread in 1 layer. Roast in upper third of oven 15 minutes, or until squash is just tender, and transfer to a large bowl.
• Cook onion in 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to turn golden. Add to squash.
• Cook couscous with cinnamon stick in a large pot of boiling salted water 10 minutes, or until just tender, and drain in a colander (do not rinse). Add couscous to vegetables and toss with 2 tablespoon oil to coat.
• Add lemon peel and juice, parsley, nuts, raisins, ground cinnamon, and salt to taste. Toss to mix well.
• To adapt this recipe to serve 50:
• 4 to 5 preserved lemons
• 5 lb. butternut squash, peeled and seeded
• 3/4 to 1 cup olive oil
• 3 cups chopped onion
• 7 cups Israeli couscous or acini di pepe (tiny peppercorn-shaped pasta), about 3 lb.
• 4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 3 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 cups pine nuts, toasted
• 2 cups golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Preheat oven to 475°F.
• Halve lemons and scoop out flesh, keeping both flesh and peel. Cut enough peel into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1 cup. Put lemon flesh in a sieve set over a bowl and press with back of a spoon to extract juice.
• Cut enough squash into 1/4-inch dice to measure about 12 cups and toss with 1/3 cup oil and salt to taste. Roast in single layers in batches in your largest shallow baking pan in upper third of oven 15 minutes, or until just tender.
• Cook 1/2 of onion in 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to turn golden. Add to squash. Repeat with remaining onion and more oil.
• Cook couscous with cinnamon sticks in an 8-qt. pot of boiling salted water 10 minutes, or until just tender, and drain in a colander (do not rinse). Toss couscous with 3 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add squash, onion, lemon peel and juice, and remaining ingredients. Season with salt (you'll need a lot) and toss to mix well.

COUSCOUS WITH YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a saucepan with a tight fitting lid.
• Add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Cook, stirring, until onions are softened. Stir in the squash.
• Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Add the couscous and blend well. Cover, remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• Add the cilantro (or parsley) and blend well with a fork.
• Serve.

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 425°F
• Toss the squash cubes and the onion slices with a bit of olive oil and salt.
• Spread them on a baking sheet and roast, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and the onions are starting to crisp at the tips, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool before combining with other ingredients.
• Cover the cranberries with very hot water and set them aside to plump while the squash is cooking.
• Drain before combining with the other ingredients.
• Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove the pan from heat, and stir in the couscous and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Cover and let sit for about 15 minutes until the couscous has absorbed all the water. Fluff the couscous with a fork and set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, zest, spices, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
• Combine squash, onions, couscous, garbanzo beans, and drained cranberries in a large bowl.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine.
• Taste to check seasoning and add salt if needed.