Global
French–North African Lemon-Herb Couscous
A bright, fluffy couscous dish flavored with lemon, parsley, mint, and garden vegetables.
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 2.
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous (store-bought grain)
- 1 cup boiling water or broth
- 1 tomato
- 1 cucumber or zucchini
- 1–2 spring onions
- 1 lemon (zest + juice)
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh mint
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: chickpeas, roasted peppers, raisins
Cooking Steps
Prep couscous
Place couscous in bowl and pour over boiling water or broth. Cover 5 minutes, then fluff with fork.
Chop vegetables
Dice tomato, cucumber/zucchini, and spring onions.
Mix dressing
Combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper.
Combine
Add vegetables, herbs, chickpeas (optional), and dressing to couscous.
Serve
Best chilled or at room temperature.
Optional Enhancements
- Quinoa instead of couscous
- No lemon: use vinegar
- Add-ins: olives, feta, grilled veg
- Sweet version: add raisins, cinnamon
Plant & Growing Tips
Tomatoes
- Full sun; water deeply.
Cucumbers / Zucchini
- Cucumbers: need trellising.
- Zucchini: requires space and rich soil.
Spring Onions
- Quick crop; grow in containers or beds.
Parsley & Mint
- Parsley: moist soil.
- Mint: invasive, so grow in a pot.
Lemon Tree (optional)
- Needs warm climate or container indoors.
- Prune annually and fertilize citrus-specific feed.
Natural Pest Control
- Mint repels pests from tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Neem spray controls whiteflies and beetles.
- Companion planting: basil enhances tomato flavour.
Harvest
Tomatoes
- Pick ripe and soft.
Cucumbers
- Harvest firm before seeds enlarge.
Zucchini
- Pick young (6–8 inches).
Spring Onions
- Pull when thick as a pencil.
Herbs
- Harvest early morning for best oils.
Lemons
- Pick when fully yellow and aromatic.
Storing & Freezing
Refrigerate 3–4 days. Not suitable for freezing (couscous becomes mushy).
