Couscous is staple dish in Moroccan cuisine. Although it appears to be a grain, it is actually a small pasta made of semolina. Couscous is often dressed up with different add-ins, such as dried fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, legumes, and spices. I cannot eat couscous since it contains gluten, but I was very interested in creating a similar type of dish that I could enjoy.
After looking around at a bunch of recipes, it became clear that I could easily create my own couscous-inspired dish with quinoa as the main component and add in whatever I desired. I can't say for sure if this tastes just like a Moroccan couscous dish. But, I can tell you that it is a lightly spiced and very delicious gluten-free alternative filled with hearty chickpeas, sweet raisins, and crunchy pistachios. And I can also tell you that I enjoyed it immensely.
Moroccan Chickpea & Quinoa Salad
-1 cup quinoa(I used red)
-2 cups cooked chickpeas (or one 16oz can, rinsed and drained)
-1/4 cup pistachios
-1/4 cup raisins
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp cumin
-1/4 tsp paprika
Rinse quinoa and cook according to package (or make it the way I do). When the quinoa is finish cooking, add in the cinnamon, cumin, and paprika, and mix until the spices are evenly dispersed. Add chickpeas, pistachios, and raisins, and mix thoroughly. Serve immediately.
On another note, I just want to thank everyone so much for continuing to follow along during Vegan Mofo. I cannot wait to share with you what I am making for next week's new cuisine! I am super excited about it ;) And, for anyone who hasn't done so yet, please subscribe to The Vegan Chickpea or join the Google Friend Connect(both on the right side bar), if you still want to keep following along after Mofo is over ;)
The combo chickpeas + quinoa is always a winner. I've never had Moroccan food though, so I'll bookmark this recipe!
ReplyDeletesounds great, love ;) i hope you like it!
ReplyDeletei think quinoa is a great alternative to couscous for GF needs. I wonder why those companies that make GF pasta don't make a GF couscous... Maybe some day soon! This looks so delicious though, just as it is!
ReplyDeletethanks, amey! i know what you mean, i looked high and low through the gf pasta section of whole foods, but could not find any gf couscous :/
ReplyDeleteI love black quinoa! This salad sounds delicious, and perfect for the cooler fall season!
ReplyDeleteUsing quinoa instead of cous-cous is a great idea! This looks delicious :)
ReplyDeletethank you amy & nikki!
ReplyDeleteI would love this meal, I love dish based on quinoa and you're right, it makes a great substitute for couscous.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm looking forward to your next week and I'm wondering what cuisine it will be!
Looks great! Quinoa is so much better than couscous anyhow... although the fresh superfine homemade couscous is a delight that I had while in Morocco.... but here, quinoa is king! :)
ReplyDeletemandee- thank you<3 i'm glad i'm not totally wrong in assuming quinoa would be an appropriate substitute for couscous ;)
ReplyDeletejanet- you rock! superfine homemade couscous sounds amazing, though..
I followed the recipe exactly and found it insipid. We added a little lime juice and a teaspoon of honey and it actually flavored it beautifully. I didn't have sultanas so I added Turkish dried organic apricots instead. I'll make this again but will add the lime juice and raw honey. Great recipe!
ReplyDeletegreat add ins! i must admit, i am someone who enjoys simple flavors, so i can understand that you may have needed to add a bit more sweetness/sourness to it. for me, the dried fruit added enough sweetness to counteract the nuts, beans, and quinoa ;)
ReplyDeletethank you for your input!
Good morning I am busy bookmarking recipes ty! I wanted to add that I found a rice cous cous made by Lundberg! I, myself, have yet to try it.
ReplyDeletegreat to know! i will definitely look for it! thank you!!
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