chickpeas+lentils+couscous+fill-in-the-blank

September 15, 2021 1:40 PM

Starting with a chickpeas, lentil, and couscous base, what would you add? I have done one with roasted carrots and butternut, parsley, chili pepper, but need more ideas, all suggestions welcome. Does not need to stay vegetarian or vegan.
posted by tiny frying pan to Food & Drink (17 answers total)

Lemon, dill, garlic, peas

Sauteed mushrooms, thyme, caramelized onions

Goat cheese, figs, balsamic vinegar, wilted greens
posted by the primroses were over at 1:54 PM on September 15, 2021

Canned tomatoes, onions, spinach, berbere spice mix.
posted by FencingGal at 1:57 PM on September 15, 2021

Moroccan lemons.
posted by aniola at 2:03 PM on September 15, 2021

Whole Roasted Cauliflower! We usually serve this over a rice pilaf with hummus and feta and may try your base next time.

Preheat oven to 450. Bring a big pot of salted water (deep enough for your cauliflower to float in it) to a boil. Boil the cauliflower for 15 minutes, then transfer to a baking vessel. Dress the cauliflower with olive oil and spices (tumeric, paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic power, pepper, salt), then bake it for 40-45 minutes.
posted by thecaddy at 2:07 PM on September 15, 2021

Taco seasoning (or cumin) + tomatoes.
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:21 PM on September 15, 2021

Sweet potato and garam masala
Roasted almonds and grilled lemon pepper chicken
Chunks of avocado and black beans
Peanut sauce and tomato with cumin
posted by jessamyn at 2:22 PM on September 15, 2021

Celery root makes positively everything better, adding a bright umami flavor that doesn't overpower your core ingredients as lift them up and make them resonate.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:26 PM on September 15, 2021

I serve this exact mixture topped with sweet and savory meatballs. Preheat oven to 400 F. Mix 1lb of ground beef (or lamb) with one egg, plus a handful pine nuts, another handful of golden raisins, about a tsp. of cumin, plus another tsp. of garlic powder, and a tbsp. or so of fresh parsley. Add in enough Panko bread crumbs to make it sticky. Then make the meatballs roughly the size of golf balls, arrange them in a cast iron skillet (or on a baking sheet), and bake 15-20 minutes.
posted by pinkacademic at 2:33 PM on September 15, 2021

Lotus root or fennel bulbs. Many people would probably disagree, but something crunchy and bright really works with all those ingredients for me. I'd suggest adding late and cooking for less long then you might guess. Almost raw makes it interesting.
posted by eotvos at 2:35 PM on September 15, 2021

lamb and date tagine with toasted almonds and garlic yogurt sauce

hummus and pine nuts, olives and sumac on top

roast chicken with lemon, mix barberries into the couscous, toasted almonds on top

poached cod with a little butter sauce, harissa and chopped coriander

garlic yogurt and cucumber sauce, with mint, walnuts and lemon zest on top

stew of duck and walnuts and pomegranate

stew of spiced red lentils with niter kibbeh

dal makhani
posted by Susan PG at 2:38 PM on September 15, 2021

Throw in some sliced Spanish chorizo and finish with a splash of sherry vinegar and a shower of flat leaf parsley
posted by little mouth at 3:25 PM on September 15, 2021

Just ate this last week and it also had preserved lemons, slivered toasted almonds, and dried plums (prunes). It was delicious.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:55 PM on September 15, 2021

Feta, tomatoes, cucumber, dill or mint. Maybe some black olives, red bell pepper and/or red onion.
posted by Sabby at 5:10 PM on September 15, 2021

If cold, basically all the ingredients of tabbouleh minus the bulgur (lots of tender green herbs, tomato and onion, aggressive amounts of lemon and its zest) long thin strips of cucumber and big olives, really good olive oil and sumac on top.

Cold option two: big chunks of oil packed canned tuna or top notch sardines, capers, thinly sliced celery and fennel, a sherry vinegar dressing, beautiful cherry tomatoes.

If hot, broiled eggplant and pepper pieces, a spiced tomato sauce, wilted and very well-drained spinach with lots of roasted garlic.

Hot option two: roasted chicken parts with a sauce of pan drippings, apricots, carrots, orange or lemon juice, olives, topped with almonds and green onions.
posted by Mizu at 6:38 PM on September 15, 2021

Arugula, feta, beets
posted by bunderful at 6:41 PM on September 15, 2021

Any green (spinach, kale, chard, collards, beet greens if you're lucky enough to find them).

Beaten egg(s), as in egg-drop soup.
posted by tmdonahue at 5:43 AM on September 16, 2021

Preserved lemon, caramelized onion, lots of arugula, and toasted sliced almonds.

Baby kale (cooked with onion and garlic), cranberries or dried cherries, and orange juice (fresh is best). Probably also with toasty almonds.

"Moroccan" sweet potato stew - sweet potatoes, spices, bell pepper, raisins, some peanut butter, can of tomatoes, spices. (See this recipe for example - make it without the chickpeas and serve over or with your blend.)
posted by Lady Li at 7:13 AM on September 16, 2021