Herbed Couscous with Lemon and Parsley Recipe
Introduction
This Herbed Couscous with Lemon and Parsley is a quick and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in just 10 minutes, it offers a light, fresh taste that complements a variety of main courses.
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth to a boil in a pot or saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup of couscous and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Remove the pot from heat immediately.
- Step 3: Cover the pot with a lid and let the couscous absorb the liquid for 5 minutes to become tender and fluffy.
- Step 4: Use a fork to gently fluff the couscous, separating the grains evenly.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Step 6: Serve warm as a side dish or a base for your favorite main courses.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, toast the couscous in the olive oil for 2 minutes before adding the boiling broth.
- Swap parsley for fresh cilantro or basil for a different herbal note.
- Add chopped toasted almonds or pine nuts for a pleasant crunch.
- Include a pinch of ground cumin or smoked paprika for a subtle spice.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore moisture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use water instead of vegetable broth?
Yes, you can substitute water if you don’t have broth, but using vegetable broth adds more flavor to the couscous.
How do I make couscous fluffier?
Allowing the couscous to sit covered after adding hot liquid and fluffing it gently with a fork ensures light, fluffy grains without clumping.
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Herbed Couscous with Lemon and Parsley Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Herbed Couscous with Lemon and Parsley recipe is a quick and flavorful side dish that combines fluffy couscous with the fresh brightness of lemon juice and parsley. Perfect for busy weeknights or as a base to complement your favorite main courses, this easy-to-make dish takes just 10 minutes and requires minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Boil the broth: Bring 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth to a boil in a pot or saucepan over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the couscous.
- Add couscous and oil: Once the broth is boiling, stir in 1 cup of couscous and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then promptly remove the pot from heat to prevent overcooking.
- Cover and let sit: Cover the pot with a lid and allow the couscous to absorb the hot liquid for 5 minutes until it becomes tender and fluffy.
- Fluff the couscous: After 5 minutes, use a fork to gently fluff the couscous, separating the grains evenly to achieve a light texture.
- Mix herbs and lemon: Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to add fresh herbal notes and a bright citrus flavor.
- Serve: Serve the herbed couscous warm as a delicious side dish or as a versatile base for your favorite main meals.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can toast the couscous in olive oil for a couple of minutes before adding the broth.
- Feel free to substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if not vegetarian.
- Fresh lemon juice enhances the flavor much better than bottled, but use what you have on hand.
- This recipe can be doubled or tripled easily if serving a larger crowd.
- Leftover couscous can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated with a splash of broth or water.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: herbed couscous, lemon couscous, parsley couscous, quick side dish, vegetarian side, Mediterranean recipe
