Middle Eastern Couscous Recipe 465

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 392F / 200C.Add the butternut squash, red onions and pepper to a large baking tray. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over 1 and a half tablespoons of olive oil.Toss the vegetables then bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes remove the tray from the oven then add the zucchini/courgette. Toss all the vegetables together then return the tray to the oven and bake for a further 20 minutes. The vegetables should be soft and slightly charred on the edges.
• While the veggies are roasting, make the couscous.
• Add the couscous to a large bowl, pour in the vegetable stock, stir, then cover the bowl with cling film or something similar. Leave for 10 minutes
• While the couscous is doing its magic and the veggies are roasting, make the dressing.Add all the spices, lemon zest and lemon juice to a bowl, whisk in the 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Set aside until you are ready to use it.
• When the couscous is ready, use a fork and scrape the couscous to loosen it up. It should be nice and fluffy.
• Now add the chickpeas and the dressing to the couscous, stir well.
• Add the veggies and the chopped apricots and stir again.
• Finally, add the herbs and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with blanched almond slivers and pomegranate arils/seeds.