An easy recipe for the most delicious roasted sweet potato & falafel couscous. Serve it for lunch or a light dinner or why not serve it as a tasty side with a wrap, slice of pizza or tart.
ROASTED SWEET POTATO & FALAFEL COUSCOUS
Occasionally I have a notion to make couscous. I make it for a few days before forgetting all about it for months.
I usually make it with a selection of roasted vegetables, as it's a great way to use up what you have in the fridge, or I make it with crunchy salad veg and a swirl of pesto.
This time I wanted to make something a bit different from my usual couscous, something gutsy with lots of flavour.
I roasted sweet potatoes and teamed them with falafel, tomatoes, and spices mixed through the couscous.
Oh, it was delicious. You must try it!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE ROASTED SWEET POTATO & FALAFEL COUSCOUS
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious couscous salad:
- COUSCOUS
- OLIVE OIL - or rapeseed oil (for a nutty flavour)
- PAPRIKA
- CUMIN
- SALT & PEPPER
- SWEET POTATOES
- RED ONION
- FALAFEL - shop-bought falafel are fine
- TOMATOES - ripe tomatoes are best, I leave mine in a bowl on the windowsill to ripen
- PICKLED BABY BEETS - or plain vac-packed beetroot with no vinegar
- MANGO CHUTNEY
HOW TO GET EXTRA FLAVOUR INTO COUSCOUS
Couscous is generally made with hot water, but I like to make it with vegetable stock to give it extra flavour.
The good thing about couscous is you can jpour hot stock into the couscous and walk away while it does its thing.
No need for pots or a cooker.
You could even add extra ground spices or herbs to the stock before making up the couscous.
WHY ARE SWEET POTATOES SO GOOD FOR YOU?
I'd like to say I picked sweet potatoes because of their amazing health benefits, but I have to admit it's for the sweet creamy flavour which is intensified when you roast it.
But, they are super healthy and a great choice for so many meals.
Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious.
They are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Manganese and are a good source of fibre.
They also contain Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E and Potassium.
And let's face it they taste delicious!
No need to peel them either, just give them a wash. As with many vegetables, most of the goodness is just under the skin.
SHOP BOUGHT OR HOMEMADE FALAFEL
Homemade falafel is always going to be far superior, but shop-bought falafel is pretty good.
I always have tubs of shop-bought falafel in the fridge to add to sandwiches, wraps and salads.
If you want to make your own falafel, try this falafel recipe from Supergolden Bakes or you could try my red kidney bean falafel.
VARIATION IDEAS
Here are a few ideas of what you could include in this couscous salad, or small tweaks you can make.
- FRESH HERBS - Add fresh herbs to the couscous, once you have fluffed it up
- HOT - Add chilli powder or chilli flakes for a bit of heat
- FLAVOUR BOOST - Add a swirl of harissa paste for extra flavour
- SUBSTITUTE FOR MANGO CHUTNEY - Use marmalade if you don't have mango chutney.
- GO INDIAN - Add onion bhaji instead of falafel
- ADD COLOUR - Add roasted peppers
- BURST OF FLAVOUR - Add sundried tomatoes
- PICKLES - Add small pickled onions for a bit of crunch and tang
- HUMMUS - Serve with a dollop of hummus
- WRAP IT UP - Add it to wraps
MORE COUSCOUS RECIPES TO TRY
- Bulgur, Coucsous & Puy Lentil Salad
- Grilled Vegetable Couscous Salad
- Med Couscous Salad
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable Couscous Salad
- Moroccan Vegetable & Chickpea Tagine with Couscous
- Vegan Couscous Salad with Spiced Chickpeas
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HOW TO MAKE SWEET POTATO COUSCOUS
STEP 1
- Preheat the oven.
- Toss the sweet potatoes and red onion in spices and herbs then season and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast.
STEP 2
- Now make the couscous. Add the dry couscous to a large jug or bowl.
- Make up a jug of vegetable stock and pour it over the couscous.
- Cover and leave to soak up the liquid, then fluff up with a fork
- Add the roast sweet potato and onion to a large bowl.
- Add halved falafel and chopped ripe tomatoes.
- For extra flavour add pickled baby beets. If you don't like pickled beetroot, you could use plain cooked beets.
STEP 4
- Add couscous and mango chutney to the vegetables, then season with salt and pepper.
- Mix well and taste to check the seasoning (or just because it's darn tasty).
- Serve and enjoy!
Roasted Sweet Potato & Falafel Couscous
Ingredients
- 3 sweet potatoes, diced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 12 falafel, halved
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 4 pickled baby beets (or 2 vac-packed plain, cooked beetroot)
- 200g couscous (1.2 cups)
- 500ml (2 cups) vegetable stock
- 4 - 5 tablespoons mango chutney
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan/350f/gas mark 4.
- Toss the sweet potato and red onion in the olive oil, herbs and spices, then spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet and roast for 15 - 20 minutes until soft and starting to char at the edges.
- Now make up the couscous. Measure the dry couscous into a large jug or bowl and add the hot vegetable stock. Stir once, cover and set aside for 10 minutes.
- Add the roast veg, falafel, tomatoes and beetroot to a large bowl.
- Fluff up the couscous with a fork, then add the couscous and mango chutney to the vegetables and season with salt and pepper and mix well.
- If you have some fresh herbs, you could add them too.
- Taste to check the seasoning.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes:
- This couscous will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Fresh herbs are great in this salad.
- If you don't like pickled beetroot, you can add plain cooked beetroot.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
318.99Fat (grams)
16.64Sat. Fat (grams)
1.29Carbs (grams)
38.59Fiber (grams)
5.66Net carbs
32.93Sugar (grams)
13.67Protein (grams)
5.82Sodium (milligrams)
382.03Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
such a delicious dish! We loved it! thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for trying it out for me before I posted it Gustavo. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thought you would.
DeleteThis looks so easy yet I can taste those delicious roasted veggies. Love roasted veggies and couscous but not paired them up before. My kids love falafel so this dish will be perfect for our lunch. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes it's great in lunchboxes. My son picks out the tomatoes but loves the rest.
DeleteA wonderful addition for sweet potatoes we love this recipe!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I am rather pleased with it.
DeleteI love the flavour combination here, it's so delicious. The falafel works perfectly with the couscous
ReplyDeleteoh yes it really does. Lots of gutsy flavours.
DeleteI am thinking of of making this for work this week but I only have quinoa. Can I use that instead?
ReplyDeleteYes you totally can but you will need to cook that for a few minutes. Just follow the packet instructions.
DeleteAdding the ingredients to my shopping list. Another good one. Thanks Jill
ReplyDeleteYay! Enjoy it Jill.
DeleteI made this for lunch today and my parents loved it ❤
ReplyDeleteoh fabulous. It is rather yummy!
DeleteI really like couscous, but it is pretty bland. Great idea to incorporate vegetables and falafel!
ReplyDeleteSoaking it in vegetable stock really helps too.
DeleteHell yeah that looks good.
ReplyDeletehaha thanks. Enjoy it!
DeleteI love these flavours so much together. I swapped the couscous for cauliflower rice for a lower carb option and it worked perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThat's a fabulous idea and I bet it was delicious!
DeleteI love this as a main meal or as a side salad. Excellent flavours.
ReplyDeleteoh yes it works well as both and lots of flavour.
DeleteLooks great -- I like the combination of couscous, roasted sweet potatoes and falafel.
ReplyDeleteThe flavours and textures work so well together.
DeleteThis was a great side dish for the baked herb chicken we had tonight! And I even have enough left for lunch tomorrw.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it and yes it's great for lunch.
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