There’s something so incredibly versatile about couscous dishes – particularly giant couscous dishes. They can be warming and comforting, perfect for winter – or they can be bright, fresh and salad like, perfect for summer.
With this particular dish, I wanted something somewhere in the middle- light, yet satisfying. And that’s exactly what this dish is.
Why use giant couscous?
There are two types of couscous. First, your standard tiny grained couscous and secondly giant couscous. Giant couscous is a particular textural delight – it provides a wonderful ‘bite’ that you don’t get with ordinary couscous. It takes slightly longer to cook (though as ordinary couscous takes just a couple of minutes, that’s not saying much), but it can really bring something different to dishes like this.
The flavour combination
In this recipe, I went with some bright Mediterranean flavours. Chorizo, olives, red pepper and feta naturally all go well together and the sugar snap peas bring a lovely crunch and sweetness. As the chorizo cooks, it’s beautiful, rich oils seep out and provide a sauce to tie everything together. Delightful!
If you need to chop and change ingredients, you can of course. However, I’d recommend sticking with chorizo if you can – nothing else would bring that flavour.
You could swap green olives for black. You could also exchange sugar snap peas for normal ones, and halloumi would work well in place of the feta. Just fry or grill it, then chop into bite size pieces and add it in at the end.
If you’re still looking for couscous recipes, these chicken skewers with giant couscous are delicious, and this recipe uses chorizo too but adds scallops for a touch of luxury.
You can eat this hot or cold, though I prefer it hot, and is wonderful for lunch the next day.
Chorizo and Sugar Snap Pea Giant Couscous
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 300 g giant couscous
- 150 g chorizo
- 200 g sugar snap peas
- 1 red pepper
- 1 bunch spring onions
- 75 g green olives
- 100 g feta
Instructions
- Gently fry the couscous in the oil in a large pan for a couple of minutes. Tip in 600ml water, and bring to the boil, stirring often. Cook until all of the water has been absorbed (approx 15 minutes), stirring so that it doesn't stick. When the water has been absorbed, try the couscous – if it's still a bit crunchy, add a little more water.
- Meanwhile, slice the chorizo and place in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry until golden on both sides, then add the whole sugar snap peas and chopped red pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Finely slice the spring onions, and chop the feta into chunks.
- Finally, mix the couscous, chorizo mix, spring onions, feta and olives together well. It's ready!
Nutrition
More recipes using chorizo:
- Creamy Chorizo Gnocchi
- Chorizo Breakfast Bake
- Leek and Chorizo Soup
- Cheddar and Chorizo Muffins
- Chorizo and Halloumi Pasta
- Cheese and Chorizo Omelette
- Chorizo and Pea Risotto
- Chorizo and Scallops With Pasta
- Chorizo and Mozzarella Hot Sandwich
- Chorizo, Pepper and Mozzarella Frittata
- Chorizo, Tomato and Olive Pasta
Yum, a must try!
This looks and sounds fabulous! Love this recipe.
I just love how simple and easy to make this recipe is! 🙂 I definitely do not cook with couscous enough.
Great option for lunch. Can’t wait to try. Thanks!
Such and easy and delicious dinner, it took me less than 30 minutes to throw together!! Thank you for sharing!
Couscous is so delicious and perfect as a base for a dish!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
I fancy having a small holding too. We also do not have alot of space…. not even for chickens, but I hear that quails do not take up alot of room….. though you need quite a few quails eggs to make up a dish!
Hi there, love your blog and I just nominated you for the Dragon’s Loyalty Award. I hope you can stop by my blog for the details.
Oh my, this looks so delicious! I love cous cous!
Looks yummy and delicious.. Perfect and healthy.. i need to try this out asap
Psst Ma’am where are you? I need dinner inspiration
I love chorizo, this is such a clever idea! Your blog is so friendly and warm and you have been such a pleasure to follow. I’ve nominated you: https://buticancook.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/honoured-and-grateful/
Love love this! healthy simplicity!!!
Good luck growing your crops! We just moved to a place with a few things already planted and I am terrified I will kill them. Hopefully I will learn how to care for a garden properly. A cow would be easier for me to handle, at this point… Delicious looking recipe, too!
Hi, this recipe caught my eye as we do love ‘giant’ couscous or as we call it in Australia, Pearl or Israeli Couscous. It’s more substantial than the normal small grains of couscous don’t you think? And chorizo makes anything taste good! Thanks for the idea. Mims
This looks amazing
looks fantastic
The recipe looks delicious. Good luck with your gardening! I have recently started a small garden at my house and it is so rewarding. I love going out to pick veggies for dinner. 😀
Thanks Molly! I’m hoping to feature some home grown veggies in recipes soon 🙂
I will keep an eye out for those posts! ?
It’s a wonder that when food this great can be prepared so quickly, that we Brits still have an addiction to takeaways! Your meal looks beautiful and I don’t eat meat! 🙂
Thank you so much Sally for your kind words! This would be very tasty without the chorizo too 🙂
I love to harvest too. I have a very small place where I grow zucchini, jalapeño and bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and artichokes. Recently I just plated cantelup and acorn squash, hope they grow! It is very exciting to harvest. Unfotunately I don’t have the space to have animals, but I would love to! Good luck! Salad look yummy!
We don’t have the space for animals either, the cow would have to live in the lounge 🙂 it would be wonderful though!