Easy dinner recipes: Quick couscous variations

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Pasta with broccoli and Italian sausage (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Boster, Mark -- - 127372.FO.0822.molina.MJB-(LosAngeles)-The Beef Tagliatta with Arugula Salad at Osteria Mozza one of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles right now. August 22, 2007 (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Corn and shrimp make a great pair in this soup. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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This dish comes together in less than a half hour. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Lemon juice, red onion and tomato add summery flavors to a salad with shrimp finished with arugula and pine nuts. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Savory stuffed French toast with bacon, dandelion greens and Gruyere cheese (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Five -- yes, five -- different kinds of cheese. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Buttery Cantal cheese, caramelized shallots and a little fresh thyme in between two grilled slices of bread. (Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)

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Mushrooms, cauliflower, artichokes, carrots, onions and fennel quickly simmered in a vibrant court bouillon and served with sauteed shrimp. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich and nutty. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Flavor however you’d like. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Grilled Russian kale salad with yogurt dressing and toasted hazelnuts. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Gently rubbing a bright vinaigrette onto cut kale works to soften its texture, making for a wonderfully fresh salad with crisp, assertive notes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Chopped kale and romaine are tossed with quinoa, almonds, raisins and parmesan cheese, with a bright lemon vinaigrette added just before serving. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Velvety and rich. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Just a handful of ingredients -- including corn, clams and bacon -- come together in a dish that’s pure magic. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich, sweet and perfectly crumbly. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Crunchy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Are these ooey-gooey double-chocolate cookies from Milk the best ever? (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Lentils, colorful vegetables and rich feta are tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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A perfect light main course or flexible side dish. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Lentils and pancetta are a match made in heaven. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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There’s tequila in the marinade. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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One of the easiest dinners you could make. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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A great way to use leftovers. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Grilling the lettuce lends depth of flavor. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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This simple salad comes together quickly. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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A different take on the chopped salad. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

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Shrimp and basil make a nice combination. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Grated Parmigiano adds extra richness. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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A great way to use extra zucchini. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Heirloom tomatoes and watermelon work well together. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Watermelon with mint and lime. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Recipe: Cubed watermelon combined with feta, mint, a little jalapeno and a cumin-lime dressing.

(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Needs time to marinate, then grills in minutes. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh flavors of lemon and cilantro. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Light and refreshing. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Now you can have your beer and eat it too. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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It comes together in minutes and can be flavored as you like. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Now you can have your beer and eat it too. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Nice and tangy. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and creamy. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Yellow crookneck squash is perfect for stuffing. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Garlic and herbs give this stuffing extra flavor. (Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)

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Melt a little cheese over right before they’re done. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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The chicken chili from Jason’s Deli makes a hearty dish. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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When you’re looking for a dinner idea with a little more substance, but still want to put food on the table fast, you can’t go wrong with hash. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Braised chicken with capers and new potatoes. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Feel like tackling a Thomas Keller recipe? In this recipe adapted from Keller’s “Ad Hoc at Home,” crisp, braised chicken thighs are at once rich yet bright with a great harmony of flavors, including olives, lemon zest and thinly sliced fennel. The whole dish comes together in just over an hour. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Buttermilk soup with a drizzle of green oil and radish slices hits the spot when the mercury soars. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Cucumbers and yogurt are a refreshing combination in this soup. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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A beet-and-pomegranate salad is brought to life from “The Book of New Israeli Food,” an inspiring gateway into present-day Israel. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

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Chef Christian Shaffer’s beet salad. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Beets with lavender and crushed blackberries are topped with frothed whole milk. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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The quinoa salad on the menu at M Cafe. (Ann Johansson / For The Times)

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Shiso is a natural with tuna, adding a fragrant green note to an easy sandwich of salty capers, meaty Italian tuna and sweet tomatoes. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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A croque-monsieur prepared on a panini grill combines Gruyère cheese and Black Forest ham into a sublimely golden melt. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Put your fish and slaw combo between a couple of slices of bread. Toss shredded radicchio and red cabbage with capers, olives and a light vinaigrette for an assertively colorful slaw. Slather thick toasted pumpernickel slices with Dijon mustard and creamy horseradish, and fill with the slaw and lightly floured cod pan-fried to a crisp golden brown. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)

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Pink grapefruit salad with crab (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Curried cantaloupe slaw (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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The fish cooks up in almost no time -- 4 to 5 minutes on each side, just until the prosciutto is lightly crisped. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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If you’re thinking about grilling something up for dinner, consider flank steaks with fresh chimichurri sauce. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty at dinner, you can’t go wrong with the peel ‘n’ eat shrimp recipe David Lentz of The Hungry Cat shared with us. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

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Top a prepared pizza crust with a little sour cream and smoked salmon, along with chopped red onion, fresh dill and capers. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Sandwiches, simple to make and adaptable to almost any ingredients you have on hand, are a perfect choice whether you’re feeding the family or flying solo. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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It’s unapologetic goodness on a plate. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Yakitori is a perfect, laid-back approach to a meal, whether you’re serving a backyard full of guests, or just the family. (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

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For something on the lighter side, these bread salad skewers with sherry vinaigrette from Matt Armendariz are bright, colorful and oh-so-flavorful. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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For dinner tonight, how about getting outdoors and throwing something on the grill? (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Pasta, butter, lemon, basil, cream, Parmigiano and freshly ground black pepper. Could dinner possibly get any easier? (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Dinner doesn’t get much better -- or more simple -- than quesadillas. Melt some cheese over a warm tortilla, add an extra filling or two, and you’re good to go. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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In this Filipino take from chef Andre Guerrero, chicken pieces are simmered in a fragrant blend of soy sauce, garlic, cider vinegar, black pepper and bay leaves. When the chicken is tender, the sauce is reduced, then tossed again with the chicken before serving. It’s a wonderfully rich yet simple dish, perfect served alongside a simple salad or side -- Guerrero recommends jasmine rice -- and it comes together in only an hour. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Thinking vegetarian? Look no further than Coral Tree Cafe’s hearty vegetable soup. Fresh vegetables simmered with barley in a hearty broth, it makes for a perfect one-dish meal. What’s more, you might not even notice it’s vegetarian. (Of course, you can add some meat or doctor the ingredients to suit your taste.) (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Craving mushrooms? Have we got a creamy mushroom and roasted onion soup for you. No less than a pound of cremini mushrooms are simmered with garlic, shallots, onion and buttery Chardonnay for an aromatic base in this soup from The Cave at the Ventura Wine Co. Puree the mushrooms with heavy cream for a smooth, velvety finish, then stir in finely chopped roasted onion at the end. A thin slice of Parmigiano-Reggiano completes each serving. The soup itself comes together in about 40 minutes, though it will take a little advance planning to prepare the roasted onion (roast for about 1 hour at 400 degrees, then cool before chopping -- you could do this a day or two in advance and refrigerate until needed). (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

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This isn’t your ordinary chicken soup, each bite flavored with bits of carrot and celery, garbanzo beans and cracked wheat. It’s rich, yet delicately spiced with notes of cinnamon and curry. Best of all? The whole thing comes together in about 45 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Craving chicken? Try Nordstrom’s chopped chicken salad. Both tart fresh apple slices and dried apple chips flavor this salad, tossed with sliced onion, lightly spiced candied almonds, julienned strips of chicken and creamy goat cheese. The salad is tossed with a bright Champagne vinaigrette. The whole recipe, including the candied almonds, comes together in about an hour, perfect as a side or a light meal. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Try the tricolore salad from Nancy Silverton. A simple yet colorful blend of nicely assertive lettuces (arugula, frisee and endive), the salad is tossed with a homemade anchovy dressing and topped with a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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Chopped romaine lettuce tossed with fresh corn, avocado, cucumber and nicely spiced shrimp, this Chaya’s chopped salad is fresh and bright, and it packs no shortage of heat from its jalapeno-spiced dressing. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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If you’re looking for something bright and fun this evening, this vegetable salad is a perfect choice. Fresh, lightly herbal, sweetened with a touch of honey and with just the right amount of tang, BLD tosses its homemade dressing with a wonderfully bright and colorful salad of crunchy fresh corn, edamame, roasted bell peppers and green beans, along with diced rich avocado and toasted cashews. They top the salad with fresh sprouts and a drizzle of nutty hemp seeds. It makes for a perfect side or light meal. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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With the depth of flavor in this soup, you’d never guess this rich and creamy salmon bisque comes together in under an hour. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Shaved asparagus with Italian coppa (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Cook a couple swordfish steaks in garlic and fennel for a few minutes on each side, then add a little white wine and whole cherry tomatoes and let the dish simmer away until the steaks are done. Remove the steaks and cook down the liquid with a little slivered fresh basil until it’s nicely thickened (yes, the aroma is amazing!), serve over the swordfish and you’re good to go. The dish takes about 40 minutes from start to finish. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright with large shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and a sprinkling of fresh parsley, capellini al gamberetti, a pasta dish from Napoli restaurant in Loma Linda, doesn’t get any easier. Make it in less than 30 minutes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Comfort food doesn’t get much better -- or easier -- than a platter of enchiladas. Use leftover chicken (or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store on your way home) to make these lightly spiced green enchiladas. You can prepare this meal in about an hour, and that includes making your own homemade tomatillo salsa. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

By Noelle Carter

July 15, 2013 2:43 PM PT

When it comes to versatility, you can’t do much better than couscous. Typically a fine granular semolina pasta, couscous works in both savory and sweet dishes, and can be served hot or cold. Like pasta, add vegetables and/or meat for a main dish, or perhaps fold it in with lightly dressed lettuces or herbs for a salad. Sweeten it and add milk, nuts and/or fruit for a sweet finish to a meal.

A perfect dish for summer, Houston’s couscous combines raisins, tomatoes, almonds and parsley with fresh chopped radish and green onion. The couscous and bulgur wheat salad is brightened with fresh mint and a dash of lemon juice, and comes together in about an hour.

RECIPES: 63 dinner ideas in an hour or less

Vertical Wine Bistro’s variation features large, pearly couscous flavored with chopped fresh herbs and garlic and a touch of bright tang from lemon juice and vinegar. It’s rounded out with complex notes from the Moroccan spice blend ras el hanout. The dish is perfect made ahead of time to give the flavors time to marry before serving.

Or try a basic quick couscous recipe as a springboard for your own variation. Though classic couscous can take over an hour for the granules to steam using a couscousier, quick couscous plumps and becomes tender in just minutes when combined with boiling water.

For more ideas, click through our easy dinner recipes gallery and check out our Dinner Tonight page, devoted to recipes that can be made in an hour or less. Looking for a particular type of recipe? Comment below or email me at noelle.carter@latimes.com.

HOUSTON’S COUSCOUS

Total time: 40 minutes, plus cooling time

Servings: 4 to 6

Note: Adapted from Hillstone Restaurant Group

3 cups water, divided

1/2 cup couscous

1/2 cup bulgur wheat

3/4 cup coarsely chopped radishes

3 tablespoons finely cut green onions

3 tablespoons minced Italian parsley

1/2 cup raisins

12 very small tomatoes, such as Sweet 100s

1/3 cup whole roasted, skin-on almonds

About ½ cup whole fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, preferably Meyer lemon, more to taste

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more to taste

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a simmer. Add the couscous and cook gently until the water is absorbed, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the couscous to a baking sheet to cool.

2. In another small saucepan, bring the remaining 1 1/2 cups water to a simmer. Add the bulgur wheat and cook gently until the water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a baking sheet to cool.

3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled couscous and bulgur wheat. Stir in the radishes, green onions, parsley, raisins, tomatoes, almonds and mint leaves. Add the lemon juice and olive oil, stirring to coat. Season with one-half teaspoon salt and one-fourth teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust the flavorings and seasonings as desired. This makes about 4 cups salad.

Each of 6 servings: 209 calories; 6 grams protein; 34 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams fiber; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 9 grams sugar; 206 mg sodium.

Vertical Wine Bistro’s Israeli couscous

45 minutes, plus chilling time. Serves 6 to 8

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 white onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon ras el hanout

1 (8.78-ounce) package Israeli couscous

Chicken or vegetable broth (typically 2 cups broth per 1 cup couscous, or as the package directs)

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1 green onion, sliced thin

1/4 cup diced red bell pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

5 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Salt and pepper

1. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-low heat. Add the white onion and ras el hanout and sweat until the onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the couscous over low heat and stir for 3 minutes, then add the broth. Raise heat to bring to a boil, and cook until the couscous is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Spread the cooked couscous onto a shallow rimmed pan to cool, stirring occasionally.

2. In a large bowl, combine the red and green onions, bell pepper, tarragon, mint, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic and remaining oil along with the couscous, gently mixing with your hands to separate the couscous and fold together the ingredients. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.

3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to give the flavors time to marry. Remove from the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving to come to room temperature, and stir once more before serving.

Each of 8 servings: 213 calories; 4 grams protein; 29 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 9 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 2 grams sugar; 218 mg sodium.

NOTE: Adapted from Vertical Wine Bistro; the restaurant suggests adding freshly grilled chicken, scallops or shrimp. Ras el hanout can generally be found at cooking supply stores, as well as gourmet markets, many well-stocked supermarkets and online.

QUICK COUSCOUS

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 6

1 pound (2½ cups) couscous

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

2 cups boiling water

6 tablespoons hot broth

Additional broth, soup or stew (for serving)

1. Put couscous in a sauté pan. Add salt and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Pour boiling water over couscous, return just to a simmer, remove from the heat and cover tightly. Set aside off the heat until the couscous is just tender, about 12 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Transfer to a large bowl.

2. Sprinkle the remaining oil over the couscous, tossing lightly with a fork and rubbing the couscous between your fingers if necessary to remove any clumps. Slowly add 6 tablespoons broth, tossing lightly. Serve hot, with more broth for moistening the couscous at the table.

Each serving: 404 calories; 10 grams protein; 59 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 14 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 cholesterol; 0 sugar; 395 mg sodium.
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