Indian Spiced Whole Wheat Couscous with Chickpeas

Elevate your mealtime with this vibrant and wholesome Indian Spiced Whole Wheat Couscous with Chickpeas, a quick and nutritious dish packed with bold flavors and aromatic spices. Perfectly fluffy whole wheat couscous forms the base, infused with a medley of classic Indian spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, creating an irresistible depth of flavor. Protein-rich chickpeas and wilted spinach add heartiness, while a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a splash of lemon juice brighten every bite. Finished with an optional crunch of toasted almonds or cashews, this versatile recipe is not only vegan-friendly but also ready in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight dinners or as a flavorful side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat couscous
• 1.25 cups water
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas (drained and rinsed, if canned)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 0.5 teaspoons garam masala
• 0.25 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 0.25 cups fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.25 cups toasted slivered almonds or cashews (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring 1.25 cups of water to a boil. Add 0.5 teaspoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the boiling water.

Step 2

Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in 1 cup of whole wheat couscous, cover with a lid, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, garam masala, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the skillet. Toast the spices for 30 seconds to release their aroma.

Step 6

Add the cooked chickpeas to the skillet, stirring to coat them with the spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the fresh spinach leaves and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.

Step 8

Add the fluffed couscous to the skillet and mix well to combine all ingredients and flavors.

Step 9

Stir in the fresh lemon juice, chopped cilantro, black pepper, and adjust the salt as needed.

Step 10

Garnish with toasted slivered almonds or cashews, if desired. Serve warm as a main dish or a side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1022.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1094.6

Total Fat 50.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1581.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 133.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.4g	0%
Total Sugars 17.3g
Protein 37.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 366.9mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 1643.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.7%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 47.0%