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Lemon Spinach Couscous with Parsley

Spinach Couscous with Lemon and Garlic

The Pesky Vegan
Spinach couscous is a quick and simple vegan side that gives those small pearls the Popeye treatment. Backed up by the delicious combo of lemon and garlic, it's a low-fat dish that's ready in around 20 minutes.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean, Vegan
Servings 4
Calories 219 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup (180 g) dried couscous (see notes for ratio info)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 5 oz (150 g) spinach, rinsed
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cup (240 ml) kettle-hot water or vegan stock
  • Small handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pan over low-medium heat and add the dried couscous to the dry pan. Toast gently for around 4-5 minutes or until golden brown, moving regularly to avoid burning. Remove from the heat and set the couscous aside in a bowl.
    Note: It helps if the pan has a tight-fitting lid for later (see recipe notes for alternative).
  • After emptying the toasted couscous from the pan, heat the pan again on medium heat and add the oil. Add the chopped onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook for around 5 minutes or until starting to soften.
  • Once the onion has started to soften, add the garlic and spinach. Stir and cook gently for a few minutes until all of the spinach has wilted down.
  • Once the spinach has wilted, turn off the heat. Stir in the toasted couscous and the zest of half a lemon (the juice will go in at the end).
  • Pour over the boiling water or vegan stock. Cover with a lid and leave to steam for around 5 minutes or until the couscous is soft (it may take slightly longer depending on the variety).
  • Once soft, fluff up the couscous lightly using a fork.
  • Stir in the chopped parsley and the juice of half a lemon. Adjust to taste, adding any extra salt, pepper, or lemon zest/juice. Serve with sides such as pico de gallo or cashew parmesan and enjoy.
    📸 Recipe steps >
    📖 Table of contents >

Notes

Pan-toasting: Toasting the couscous in the pan will give it a nice texture and nutty flavour, but this is optional.
Pan v bowl: Ideally you'll use a pan with a tight-fitting lid to combine the couscous and hot liquid, but you could also use a heat-proof bowl with a lid or cling film (plastic wrap).
Liquid ratio: For the best results, use a measuring cup or mug to measure equal amounts of dried couscous to kettle-hot water (i.e. boiling water from a kettle). This will result in a 1:1 ratio, even though the liquid will weigh slightly more than the couscous (approx. 4 parts hot liquid to 3 parts couscous by weight). For more info, see my main recipe for vegan couscous salad.
Frozen spinach: If you want to use frozen spinach, allow this to defrost first at room temperature (or speed things along in the microwave) before adding to the pan with the onion and garlic.
Other veg: Things like red pepper, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or other roasted veg would all work well here.
Other herbs: Try herbs such as fresh basil or coriander alongside (or instead of) the parsley.
Gluten-free: Couscous is not gluten-free, but you can replace this with GF grains such as quinoa or millet (these will take longer to cook so follow the package instructions).
Storage: Store in the fridge for up to four days or freezer for up to six months.
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* The nutrition info below is for one serving, based on a total of four servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 327mgPotassium: 347mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 3640IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition Facts
Spinach Couscous with Lemon and Garlic
Amount Per Serving
Calories 219 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Sodium 327mg14%
Potassium 347mg10%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 3640IU73%
Vitamin C 21mg25%
Calcium 62mg6%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword spinach couscous salad, vegan couscous recipe, vegan spinach recipe
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