Butternut squash steaks with houmous and jewelled couscous

Recipe Description

Butternut squash steaks with houmous and jewelled couscous is a flavorful and nutritious dish that combines the earthy sweetness of roasted butternut squash with creamy houmous and vibrant jewelled couscous. This vegetarian recipe is perfect for a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Nutritional Benefits

1. Butternut squash: High in fiber and packed with vitamins A, C, and E, butternut squash supports a healthy immune system and promotes eye health.
2. Houmous: Made from chickpeas, houmous is an excellent source of plant-based protein and provides essential amino acids. It also contains heart-healthy fats and dietary fiber.
3. Jewelled couscous: Whole wheat couscous is a good source of complex carbohydrates, offering sustained energy. It also contains minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Ingredients

1. 1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into steaks
2. 2 tablespoons olive oil
3. 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
4. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
5. Salt and pepper to taste
6. 1 cup whole wheat couscous
7. 2 cups vegetable broth
8. 1/4 cup dried cranberries
9. 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
10. 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
11. 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
12. 1 cup houmous

Processing Steps

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Prepare the butternut squash: Peel the butternut squash and cut it into steaks. Place the steaks on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until tender.
3. Cook the couscous: In a saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the whole wheat couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in dried cranberries, chopped pistachios, pomegranate arils, and chopped fresh parsley.
4. Assemble the dish: Spread a generous dollop of houmous on each butternut squash steak. Serve the steaks on a bed of jewelled couscous.

Tips and Recommendations

When serving and preparing this dish, consider the following tips:
- To enhance the flavor of the houmous, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.
- Garnish the dish with additional pomegranate arils and chopped fresh herbs for a pop of color.
- For added protein, top each butternut squash steak with crumbled feta cheese or toasted pumpkin seeds.
- Serve the dish with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Shopping List

1. 1 butternut squash
2. olive oil
3. smoked paprika
4. ground cumin
5. salt
6. pepper
7. whole wheat couscous
8. vegetable broth
9. dried cranberries
10. chopped pistachios
11. pomegranate arils
12. fresh parsley
13. houmous