This main course is savory and delicious as well as perfect for sharing with family!  The recipie is perfect for a lovely summer picnic as well since its flavors really pop off one’s palate.  It is quick to prepare and also keeps well (so you can store it in the fridge for the kids, or maybe bring it to lunch and save a few bucks!

Makes roughly six servings, but be careful with the couscous as it expands when cooked!

1 tbsp olive oil

1 chopped red onion

1 coarsely chopped yellow squash

1 coarsely chopped carrot

1/2 cup sliced baby portabella mushrooms

1 coarsely chopped red bell pepper

1 corasley chopped zucchini

1 coarsely chopped yellow bell pepper

1/2 tsp of paprika (ideally the smoked and sweeter varieties, or for a little mystery a smoked and sweet selection, for the epicurious hungarian paprika is reknowned!)

4 cups vegetable broth

1 quarter tsp salt (I prefer sea salt as it’s lower in soduim than run of the mill table salt, but to each their own!)

1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro (I prefer two, but I like cilantro) 

1 can of drained chickpeas (16 0z.)

2 sliced roma tomatoes

2 cups dry couscous

Slivered and toasted almonds to taste

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Heat oil in a large pot over a medium low heat and add: Onions, yellow squash, carrots and zucchini in pot and cook until onions are translucent (Stir once and a while to even the browning process) then add in both types of peppers as well as the mushrooms; let cook 3 minutes or so.  At this point add the vegetable stock and seasonings (including cilantro) and bring the mixture to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a low simmer and stir the tomato and chickpeas and then SLOWLY pour in the couscous and continue to stir until all the couscous is evenly distributed (do this quickly and IMMEDIATELY place the lid on the pot) then remove the pot from the heat.  Let it stand for 5 minutes with the cover on (think of how one makes Stove-Top Stuffing!) 

Finally, fluff with a fork, and share it with the ones you love, remember that feeding one prolongs their life and sustains their being thus, is a beautiful act of good karma.  Cook for the ones you love and you’ll never be hungry:-)