Ingredients
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1/2 medium white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh spinach
Grains & Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups dry couscous
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
Liquids & Seasonings
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
Instructions
- Sauté the onion: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the couscous: In a separate pot, bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat, add the couscous and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, stir to combine, then cover immediately and let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the water.
- Fluff couscous: After the water has been absorbed, fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains and prevent clumping.
- Combine and cook: Add the fluffed couscous, salt, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach into the saucepan with the sautéed onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the spinach wilts slightly and everything is well combined.
- Season and serve: Taste and add additional salt if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, you can toast the dry couscous briefly in olive oil before adding boiling water.
- Feel free to substitute spinach with other leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard.
- Adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavors.
- This dish pairs well with grilled chicken or fish for a more complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
