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This dish is all about the quality of your ingredients.
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Use the very best vegetable stock you can find and boost it as follows: Put the stock into a stock pot over heat on the stove.
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Add the chopped large carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, pepper corns, bay leaves and parsley and bring to a boil.
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Cover and simmer for at least 1 hour - longer if you have time.
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Strain your stock and press as much of the precious juices out of the cooked vegetables as you go.
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Reserve the stock and put the spent vegetables into your compost bin or discard
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Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in large heavy based saucepan (a heavy casserole with a lid is ideal) and cook onions until soft; add the spices and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook for a couple of minutes.
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Add the stock, tomatoes and tomato paste & simmer gently for 30 minutes or so.
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The idea is to time your cooking of the vegetable so that they are cooked through but not too soft when you serve the meal.
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Add the baby carrots & simmer for 5 minutes; add the baby turnips & simmer for a further 5 minutes; add the zucchini, capsicum, chickpeas, sultanas and beans and simmer for 10 minutes.
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11
While the vegetables are cooking....
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12
Place couscous in a heat proof bowl and pour over 500ml of boiling water.
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Add two tablspoons olive oil, the butter and salt and mix through.
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Cover and place in a low oven for 15 minutes to keep warm.
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Stir half the coriander through the couscous with a fork, breaking up any lumps.
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Best served at the table - the aroma when you lift the lid on the vegetable 'soup' is fantastic.
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To serve put a mini mountain of couscous in each bowl.
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Put a selection of the vegetables on top and around.
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Add a ladle or so of the soup.
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Pop a piece of grilled fish on top if you wish Thank you Terry