Turkey & Fall Vegetables in a Saffron-Scented Broth with Couscous

Serves four.

To learn more, read:
Using Up the Turkey, Deliciously
by Jennifer McLagan
from Fine Cooking
Issue 60
Last Edit Date: 3/6/2013 4:39:39 PM

Moroccan spices warm up leftover turkey in this vegetable braise. Couscous is traditionally served with harissa, a chile sauce. Instead, I use the Indonesian chile paste sambal oelek, which is a good substitute and available in Asian markets, or you can substitute a few shakes of a hot sauce such as Tabasco. This recipe is easily doubled.

more about:

Generous pinch saffron threads
1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
3-inch long cinnamon stick
1 fresh hot red chile (like a serrano), cored, seeded, and quartered
3 cups Turkey Stock
1 medium red onion, root end left intact, cut into wedges about 3/4 inch thick at the widest side
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-1/2 x3/4-inch sticks
2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-1/2 x3/4-inch sticks
1 cup peeled, diced butternut squash (1-inch dice)
2 medium zucchini, cut into 1-1/2x3/4-inch sticks
8 oz. plum tomatoes (about 2 large), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch dice
15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Kosher salt
1-1/2 cups diced cooked turkey (1/2-inch dice)
1/4 cup golden seedless raisins
1/2 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
8 oz. (1-1/4 cups) couscous
Sambal oelek (Indonesian chile paste) or hot sauce

Tip:

Keep the vegetables chunky and about the same size so they’ll be done at the same time.

In a dry, small Dutch oven over medium heat, toast the saffron for 1 minute or until fragrant. Stir in the turmeric, cinnamon stick, chile, and stock; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the onion, carrots, parsnips, and squash; continue simmering, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the zucchini and tomatoes, cover, and simmer until all the vegetables are just tender, about another 5 minutes (you may need to raise the heat to return the broth to a simmer). When the vegetables are tender, stir in the chickpeas, 1/2 tsp. salt, the turkey, raisins, and cilantro. Remove the pot from the heat and let sit covered until the last ingredients you added have been heated through, about 5 minutes. Adjust the seasonings if needed.

Meanwhile, make the couscous. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 1-3/4 cups water to a boil, along with 1 tsp. salt and 1 Tbs. of the butter. Stir in the couscous, cover tightly, remove from the heat, and let sit for 5 minutes. Cut the remaining 1 Tbs. butter into small pieces and scatter them over the couscous. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

To serve, mound a large spoonful of the couscous into a shallow soup bowl and ladle the turkey, vegetables and broth over it. Serve with the sambal oelek on the side.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 630; Fat (g): 11; Fat Calories (kcal): 100; Saturated Fat (g): 5; Protein (g): 33; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 3; Carbohydrates (g): 102; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 2; Sodium (mg): 980; Cholesterol (mg): 55; Fiber (g): 15;