Mediterranean-Inspired Vegetarian Couscous Paella
This vibrant Mediterranean-Inspired Vegetarian Couscous Paella offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Bursting with fresh vegetables, fragrant spices, and hearty couscous, this one-dish meal is perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends. Packed with nutrients and easy to prepare, it's a wholesome option that can be enjoyed by vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges for a refreshing twist!
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Canola oil
2 teaspoons (none)
Red onion
1 (chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
Low sodium vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups (none)
Frozen peas
1 cup (none)
Frozen carrots
1 cup (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Ground red pepper or cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Dry couscous
1 cup (none)
Tomatoes
1 (chopped)
Dried parsley
2 teaspoons (none)
Almonds
1/2 cup (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat.
2
Add the chopped red onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is tender and translucent.
3
Pour in the low-sodium vegetable broth, followed by the frozen peas, frozen carrots, salt, ground turmeric, and ground red pepper (or cayenne pepper).
4
Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and flavors to meld.
6
Remove the skillet from the heat, and add the dry couscous, chopped tomatoes, dried parsley, and chopped almonds.
7
Stir well to combine, then cover the skillet again and let the couscous absorb the liquid for about 5 minutes.
8
After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork, and it's ready to serve. Enjoy it warm, garnished with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
20g
Carbs
3.75g
Protein
3.75g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean-Inspired Vegetarian Couscous Paella?
It is a vibrant one-dish meal featuring fresh vegetables, fragrant spices like turmeric, and hearty couscous, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed as a vegetarian dish and uses low-sodium vegetable broth.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, the recipe is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products, utilizing vegetable broth and plant-based ingredients.
How many calories are in a serving of this paella?
Each serving contains 150 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
This dish contains 5g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this recipe?
There are 20g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this dish provide?
This recipe provides 3.75g of protein per serving.
What is the fiber content of this couscous paella?
This dish contains 3.75g of fiber per serving.
What vegetables are used in this recipe?
The recipe includes red onion, frozen peas, frozen carrots, and chopped tomatoes.
What spices give the paella its flavor and color?
Ground turmeric provides the signature yellow color, while ground red pepper (or cayenne) adds a touch of heat.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 13 total ingredients required for this recipe.
What type of broth should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth.
How long should I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté the chopped red onion and minced garlic for about 5 minutes or until the onion is tender.
Do I need to cook the couscous on the stove?
No, you add the dry couscous to the hot liquid, remove from heat, and let it sit covered for 5 minutes to absorb the liquid.
What is the purpose of adding almonds?
Chopped almonds are added at the end to provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the dish.
Should I use fresh or frozen vegetables?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of frozen peas and 1 cup of frozen carrots for convenience.
How do I prepare the garlic?
The garlic should be minced before being added to the skillet.
What type of oil is recommended?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of canola oil for sautéing.
Can I add a garnish to this dish?
Yes, it is recommended to garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges for a refreshing twist.
How long do the vegetables need to simmer?
The vegetables should simmer in the broth for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Is this dish spicy?
It contains 1/4 teaspoon of ground red pepper or cayenne pepper, providing a mild heat.
What kind of parsley is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried parsley.
What cookware is best for this recipe?
A large skillet or a Dutch oven is recommended for this one-dish meal.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
The tomatoes should be chopped before being stirred into the couscous mixture.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
How do I finish the couscous before serving?
After it has sat covered for 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork.
Is this recipe considered a healthy option?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and is packed with nutrients from various vegetables.
Can this be served to meat-lovers?
Yes, the description notes it is a wholesome option that can be enjoyed by both vegetarians and meat-lovers.
What preparation is needed for the almonds?
The almonds should be chopped before being added to the skillet.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt.