Moroccan Stew

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 (4 inch) cinnamon stick
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch cubes
2 large carrots, sliced
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can canned diced/crushed/stewed tomatoes with their juice
1 cup pitted green olives
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 (10 ounce) box uncooked couscous
6 tablespoons plain yogurt
6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Sautee onion and garlic in olive oil with cumin and cinnamon stick. When onion is well cooked and clear, add squash, carrots, vegetable broth, water, beans, tomatoes. Simmer for 30-40 mins until squash is tender. Cook couscous according to directions on the box. When stew is ready, remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and olives. Garnish with salt, pepper, and cilantro. Serve over couscous.

I adapted this from an Allrecipes post and it turned out to be delicious. I think adding raisins would be a nice authentic Moroccan touch, but my husband doesn't like sweet and savory mixed, so I left them out this time.

Rating: 5 stars

Lentil Soup

1 red onion diced
1 red bell pepper diced
1 potato diced
1 large carrot thinly sliced
1 c. spinach (optional)
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 or 1.5 cups lentils (I used green)
chili powder to taste
cumin powder to taste
1/2 tsp. salt to taste
vegetable broth 1-2 cups
water- 2 cups
olive oil
fresh ground pepper

Sautee onion, bell pepper in olive oil, add potato and carrot. Add chili
and cumin powder, and salt (I like an herb and sea salt mix). Stir in lentils, veg
broth, tomato paste, water and spinach. Make sure liquids generously cover all of the lentils (you may need to add more water as soup boils down). Simmer on low-med heat for approx 45 mins or until lentils are tender. Salt and pepper can be added at the end according to taste.

I created with recipe with vegetables and spices we had in the fridge. Spinach is optional, but a great source of iron and my family loved the flavor. Perfect soup for a cold winter night.

Rating: 5 stars