Description
This vibrant Tomato Couscous recipe offers a flavorful and quick meal that combines toasted couscous cooked in chicken broth with a rich, saucy cherry tomato topping accented by lime juice and an optional hint of fish sauce for depth. Ready in just 25 minutes, it makes a perfect side dish or light main for four servings.
Ingredients
Couscous
- 2 cups couscous
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce (optional) or 1 anchovy
- ½ lime, juiced
- Additional kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Toast Couscous: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the couscous and toast it for 5-6 minutes while stirring occasionally until you smell a fragrant nutty aroma.
- Simmer Couscous: Add 2 ½ cups of chicken broth along with a pinch of kosher salt to the toasted couscous. Cover the pan and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the couscous to absorb the broth and soften.
- Cook Tomatoes: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and season with salt and black pepper. Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until they break down and become saucy, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Broth and Fish Sauce: Pour in the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth and add ½ teaspoon of fish sauce or an anchovy for extra umami flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook until the sauce thickens slightly but remains brothy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Remove the tomato sauce from heat. Stir the cooked couscous and lime juice into the pan with the tomato sauce. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Fish sauce can be omitted or substituted with an anchovy for those who prefer less strong flavors.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Adjust the amount of lime juice according to your taste preference for acidity.
- To add more texture, consider garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
