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Curried Couscous Croquettes
with Ribboned Vegetables
From: Couscous by Kitty Morse
(Chronicle Books; July 2000; ISBN: 0811824012; Paperback)
Cookbook Heaven @ recipelink.com

Serve Curried Couscous Croquettes on their own for a light supper, or as an accompaniment to roasted meats.
Servings: 6
Makes: about 20 croquettes
- 1/2 cup couscous
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 medium carrots, peeled
- 3 medium zucchini (do not peel)
- 1 small onion
- 4 ounces broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- l 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1/4 cup walnut pieces
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- 6 tablespoons self-rising flour
- 1 cup light cream
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
- In a medium bowl, combine the couscous and the water. Let stand until all the water is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.
- Coarsely shred one of the carrots, one of the zucchini, and the onion. Set aside.
- With a vegetable peeler, make long, thin ribbons from the remaining carrots and zucchini. Set aside.
- Separate the broccoli into small florets. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and half of the curry powder. Stir continuously until the oil foams and gives off a pleasant aroma, 30 to 40 seconds. Add the walnuts. Cook, stirring, until they turn a light golden color, 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, transfer them to a small bowl. Set aside.
- To the skillet, add the shredded vegetables and the garlic. Stir occasionally until the carrots are tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked vegetables with the couscous, eggs, flour, 1/4 cup of the cream, the walnut pieces, and half of the salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Wipe out skillet and add remaining tablespoon of oil. Over medium-high heat, warm the remaining curry powder, stirring continuously, until it gives off a pleasant aroma, 30 to 40 seconds. Add the carrot and zucchini ribbons, and the broccoli florets. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining cream, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens somewhat, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the croquettes. In another medium skillet over medium-high heat, pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat until a pinch of the couscous mixture dropped into it sizzles instantly. Place 1/8 cup of the couscous mixture into the skillet. With a spatula, flatten into a croquette 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Proceed in this manner until all of the couscous mixture is used.
- Spoon some of the cream onto each of 6 warm dinner plates. Place 3 overlapping croquettes in the center. Top with equal amounts of the creamed vegetables, and serve.
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