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This beautiful, bold soup gets a ton of flavor from harissa, and is extra satisfying on a chilly fall evening with the amazing addition of a couscous swirl.
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Red Pepper Carrot Soup with Couscous

This beautiful, bold soup gets a ton of flavor from harissa, and is extra satisfying on a chilly fall evening with the amazing addition of a couscous swirl.
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine North African
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 170kcal
Author Ann Otis

Ingredients

Soup

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 6 large red bell peppers, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 4-5 large carrots (about 1 lb), thinly sliced or chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon prepared harissa
  • handful of chopped parsley

Couscous

  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup dried fine couscous

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped garlic and onion and sauté, stirring occasionally until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Add carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 4-5 minutes. Add bell peppers and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Pour in the stock and add the cumin, paprika and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until vegetables are very tender.
  • While the vegetables are simmering, prepare the couscous. In a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat, add couscous, cover and set aside until the soup is ready (at least 5-10 minutes).
  • When the vegetables are tender, purée the soup in the pot with an immersion blender, or transfer to a blender. Stir in the harissa and add salt to taste.
  • Ladle soup into bowls. Fluff couscous with a fork and swirl into the soup.

Notes

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen Every Day by Deb Perelman

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 958mg | Potassium: 564mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 10620IU | Vitamin C: 166.3mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1.4mg