Fall Couscous Recipes

Steps:

• Put the couscous in a small pot and add 1 1/2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil, then cover and remove from the heat. Let steep for at least 10 minutes, or up to 20.
• Put the slightly cooled couscous in a large salad bowl along with the carrots, pecans, cranberries, scallions, oil and lemon zest and juice, and sprinkle with the spices and salt and pepper. Use 2 big forks to combine, fluffing the couscous and tossing gently to separate the grains. (The salad can be made up to this point and refrigerated for up to a day; bring to room temperature before proceeding.)
• Stir in the parsley and sage. Taste and adjust the seasoning, moisten with a little more oil and lemon juice as you like, and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drizzle squash with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Place, cut sides down, on a rimmed baking sheet; roast 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toss turnips and celery root with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet with squash. Continue roasting, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are tender and golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat butter and remaining tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until butter is melted. Add shallots; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in coriander, cumin, and paprika; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in couscous, stock, bay leaf, 1 tablespoon thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat to low. Cook until couscous is tender but al dente, and liquid is absorbed, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 2 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Peel squash; cut flesh into 1/2-inch cubes. Stir together couscous, vegetables, raisins, almonds, parsley, and remaining tablespoon thyme; season with salt and pepper. Serve, or immediately pack loosely in turkey cavity, and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of stuffing registers 165 degrees.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F Combine butternut squash, onion, olive oil, nutmeg, salt and pepper in large bowl. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until squash and onion brown slightly, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool. At this point, butternut squash and onion mixture can be frozen. Defrost in refrigerator for several hours or in the microwave.
• Combine defrosted squash and onion mixture, water or stock, butter and cranberries in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add couscous and cover. Take from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in pecans and parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper. Fluff with a fork and serve.