Baked Couscous With Summer Squash Recipes

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.

SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put a large colander inside a large bowl.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add a third of the squash to the skillet, arrange in a single layer and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the squash begins to soften and are golden brown spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the colander. Repeat 2 more times using 2 tablespoons of butter for each batch and sprinkling with 1/2 teaspoon salt and few grinds of pepper. Transfer each batch to the colander.
• Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet along with the pepper and onion and cook, stirring occasionally scraping up any brown bits, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Let cool for 5 minutes then fold into the squash. Transfer the mixture to a 2-quart casserole dish.
• Whisk together the sour cream, eggs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Fold in the Cheddar, thyme and chives. Pour over the squash making sure that some of the mixture sinks down to the bottom.
• Microwave the remaining tablespoon of butter in a medium bowl until melted. Fold in the crackers and hot sauce. Sprinkle evenly over the squash. Bake until the eggs are cooked through and the crackers are golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

COUSCOUS WITH TOMATOES, WHITE BEANS, SQUASH AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until onion is tender, about 5 minutes, and stir in the garlic, the spices and salt to taste. Stir together for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is fragrant, and add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, 2 quarts water and the bouquet garni. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.
• Add the harissa, sweet and hot peppers, squash and salt to taste. Bring back to a simmer and simmer 45 minutes to an hour, until the beans are tender. Stir in the chopped fresh herbs and simmer another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Remove a cup of the broth for seasoning the couscous. The stew should be spicy and flavorful.
• Reconstituting and steaming the couscous: In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the couscous and salt to taste. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the couscous and add the cup of broth you removed from the stew. Stir well, or moisten your fingers and rub the couscous with them to evenly distribute the oil and broth. Add enough water to cover by 1/2 inch and let sit for 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Stir every 5 minutes with a wooden spoon or rub the couscous between your moistened thumbs and fingers, so that the couscous doesn't lump. The couscous will now be fairly soft; fluff it with a fork or with your hands. The traditional way to finish reconstituting the couscous is to place it above the simmering stew for 45 minutes. I find, however, that steaming it in a microwave results in perfectly fluffy couscous. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic and pierce the plastic with the tip of a paring knife. Heat at 100 percent power for 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave carefully and allow it to sit for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plastic and fluff with forks or a spoon. Cover again with plastic and microwave for 2 to 3 more minutes. Be very careful when you remove the plastic, as the couscous will be steamy. You can reconstitute the couscous a day ahead and reheat in the microwave shortly before serving.
• Reheat the stew and the couscous. Serve the couscous in wide bowls or mound onto plates and top with the stew. Pass more harissa at the table.

BAKED COUSCOUS WITH SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bring 1 cup of broth to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in uncooked couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add squash, onions, basil, oregano, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes or until squash is tender. Set aside.
• Combine cheeses; set aside.
• Combine couscous, squash mixture, and half of cheese mixture in a large bowl; stir in remaining broth, egg substitute, salt, and pepper.
• Spoon mixture into an 8x8-inch baking dish that is lightly coated with cooking spray.
• Top with remaining cheese mixture.
• Bake at 400°F for 25 to 35 minutes or until golden. Mine takes 35. Serve warm.

BAKED FISH WITH SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place squashes, thyme, and capers in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
• Season fish with salt and pepper; arrange over squashes. Top with tomatoes. Drizzle fish and tomatoes with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Cover with parchment-lined foil and bake 15 minutes.
• Remove foil and continue to bake until fish is opaque and squashes are tender, about 10 minutes. Serve with rice.

COUSCOUS-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Cut squash in half; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; add water. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until tender. , In a small saucepan, bring apple juice to a boil; stir in couscous. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork., Scoop out squash, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Cut pulp into 1/2-in. pieces; place in a bowl. Stir in the couscous, cranberries, walnuts and onion. Combine the butter, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon; drizzle over couscous mixture and toss gently. Spoon into squash shells. Serve immediately.

COUSCOUS WITH YELLOW SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a saucepan. Add the onion, garlic, squash, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until wilted, but do not brown.
• Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the couscous and blend well. Cover tightly, remove from the heat and let stand 5 minutes. Add the coriander and blend well with a fork.

SQUASH AND VEGGIE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes or until broth is absorbed. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the squash, carrot, green pepper and onion in butter until tender. Stir in seasonings. Fluff couscous with a fork; toss with vegetable mixture.,

SQUASH WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook 1 minute. Add squash and tomato paste; cook 3 minutes more.
• Stir in broth and zest; simmer until squash is tender and sauce is thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Put couscous and raisins in a glass bowl; pour in boiling water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; let stand 5 minutes. Uncover; fluff with a fork. Serve couscous with squash and sauce.

COUSCOUS-STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place acorn squash cut-side down on baking sheet.
• Bake squash in the preheated oven until tender when pierced with a fork, about 45 minutes. Flip to face up and let cool slightly.
• Bring 2 1/4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; remove from heat and stir in couscous and cilantro. Cover saucepan and let stand until water is absorbed completely, about 10 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add spinach and cook until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain; use paper towels to squeeze out excess moisture. Fold into couscous.
• Melt margarine in a skillet. Add onion; cook and stir until browned, about 10 minutes. Mix onion into the couscous mixture. Stir in seasoned salt, salt, and pepper.
• Stuff acorn squash halves with couscous mixture. Sprinkle feta cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.