Savoury Beef and Vegetable Couscous Bowl

beefmeat & seafoodlunchmediterraneanbeans & grains

Jun 11

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This recipe for Savoury Beef and Vegetable Couscous has tender slices of beef sauteed with mushrooms and peppers, topped with some Monterey Jack cheese. Enjoy this quick bowl for when you need dinner on the table ASAP!

I love making bowls when I need a tasty and nutritious meal on the table in minimal time - not to mention with minimal dishes! Some examples of this are a Deconstructed Tikka Masala Bowl or a Spicy Bean Chili Rice Bowl. This Savoury Beef and Vegetable Couscous Bowl also fits the bill!

Bowls are such a convenient meal option. I love the versatility and they can be filled with healthy goodies. No need to pay for take-out when you can get this healthy couscous bowl on the table in about 30 minutes!

I love the satisfying flavours in this recipe. I have to say the finishing touches of sun-dried tomatoes and Monterey Jack cheese really make me want to devour this dinner again and again!

This bowl is also very meal-prep friendly. To save some time after a long day of work, you could have your peppers, mushrooms, and cheese pre-cut. Beef-stir fry strips also save a lot of time because the beef is already cut! Of course, to save even more time, you could purchase sliced mushrooms or frozen peppers. Simply make sure your peppers are thawed before you’re ready to eat!

I love cooking couscous when I’m pressed for time as well. It’s very effortless! All you have to do is add some water and the couscous just does its magic, so that you can focus on cooking the meat. If you’re wondering, I have actually tried this recipe with Moroccan couscous, which is the smallest couscous. If you REALLY want to save time, this type of couscous cooks even faster than the pearl couscous, and the combination of the other ingredients with the couscous still tastes delicious, so don’t hesitate to switch up your couscous if you’d like!

I hope you’ll give this savoury and hearty beef couscous bowl a try, and be sure to let me know what you thought in the comments below! What are your go-to meals when you’re in a hurry or just really hungry after a tiring day?

Ingredients for Savoury Beef and Vegetable Couscous

Here is what you’ll need to make this savoury beef bowl:

Israeli or pearl couscous
Beef stir fry strips
Red or orange peppers
Cremini mushrooms
All-purpose flour
Sun-dried tomatoes
Olive oil
Chili flakes
Salt and pepper
Parsley

What if I Can’t Find Beef Stir Fry Strips?

Usually Flank Steak is used to make the thin, low calorie and leaner cuts of beef used in stir-fry strips. If your grocery store does not carry pre-cut stir-fry strips, try looking for a flank steak. To prepare the stir fry strips, slice them thinly along the grain with a sharp knife.

Tips for Making Beef Tender

The stir-fry strips thin, they literally need to kiss the pan for a few minutes to finish cooking.
To make the meat extra crispy and delicious, coat the strips in some flour that is seasoned with salt and pepper. Shake off any excess and shallow fry in some oil until crispy on both sides. The meat should cook in 3-5 minutes tops and be crispy on the outside and soft inside.
A hot pan is necessary to ensure the flour coating becomes crispy quickly, without letting the meat overcook.

How Do You Cook the Couscous?

This recipe uses pearl couscous and like any other starch, it is extremely simple to prepare. For 1/3 Cup couscous, add 2/3 Cup water and bring to a simmer.

Switch the heat to low and cook the couscous uncovered for about 7-8 minutes or until soft. Once cooked, use a fork to lightly fluff up the couscous, cover and set it aside for later.

Pearl couscous will resemble and taste very similar to pasta. This makes it versatile and you can flavour the water in a number of ways to add extra flavour.

One of my favourite variations is to sauté some onion, garlic and tomatoes before adding the couscous and water to finish cooking. Feel free to add your favourite spices, herbs or veggies to add your own flair to this dish.

Cooking the Beef and the Vegetables

As your couscous is cooking, prepare the beef strips. In a large bowl, add the flour, salt pepper and chili flakes.

Mix well and add the beef stir fry strips

Using tongs, toss the beef stir fry strips to ensure they are evenly coated with flour on both sides.

Heat a pan on medium high heat and add olive oil to the pan.

When the pan is hot, add the beef stir fry strips to the pan with the help of some tongs, shaking off any excess flour in the bowl. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.

After 3-4 minutes, flip the stir fry strips and cook the other. Cook until the meat is crispy on both sides.

When the beef has finished cooking, set aside on a plate for later. In the same pan, add the mushrooms.

Followed by the peppers.

Cook until the vegetables are soft, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving the Beef and Vegetable Couscous Bowl

Serve the couscous topped with roughly chopped sun dried tomatoes and the crispy, beef, mushroom and peppers mixture, cubes of Monterey check cheese and fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cookingwithanadi. Thank you!

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Healthy, Beef, Light

Mediterranean, beef

Yield: 2

Author: Anadi

Savoury Beef and Vegetable Couscous Bowl

A couscous bowl that is loaded with crispy and tender beef stir fry strips topped with sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, red pepper, and spicy Monterey jack cheese.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Monterey jack cheese (about 1 oz)
10-12 pieces beef stir fry strips (about 4 oz)
4 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
50 g red or orange peppers, julienned
45 g Israeli couscous
15 g all-purpose flour
4 Pieces sun-dried tomatoes
1 Tbsp olive oil, divided
salt and pepper to taste
Chili flakes to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Add the couscous to a pot and add double the amount of water, bringing it to a boil. Switch the heat to low and cook the couscous uncovered for about 7-8 minutes or until soft. Once cooked, use a fork to lightly fluff up the couscous, cover and set it aside for later.
As your couscous is cooking, prepare the beef strips. In a large bowl, add the flour, salt pepper and chili flakes.
Coat the beef strips with the seasoned flour each both sides. Heat a pan on medium-high heat and once hot, add the olive oil.
When the pan is hot, add the beef stir fry strips to the pan with the help of some tongs, shaking off any excess flour in the bowl. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.
After 3-4 minutes, flip the stir fry strips and cook the other. Cook until the meat is crispy on both sides
When the beef has finished cooking, set aside on a plate for later. In the same pan, add the mushrooms and peppers. While the vegetables are cooking, chop the Monterey jack cheese into 1/2 inch cubes.
To serve, top the sun-dried tomato over couscous mixture into a bowl, followed by the beef and vegetable mixture. Top with fresh parsley to garnish. Serve hot and enjoy.