This vegetable-rich couscous is lower in fat than most pilafs and it makes a marvellous, healthy main dish, or an excellent side dish for almost any simply cooked meat or poultry, when it will serve 8 or more. Any leftovers can be used as a delicious stuffing for chicken or other poultry or game birds.
Use pumpkin or winter squash, such as butternut or acorn squash, instead of sweet potato, and raisins instead of sultanas. Use swede instead of turnip. * Many other beans and pulses are delicious in this pilaf, in particular canned or soaked and cooked chickpeas. * A chilli sauce, such as the Moroccan harissa, could be offered with the pilaf for those who like hot flavours.
Borlotti beans are low in fat and rich in carbohydrate. They provide good amounts of B vitamins (B1, niacin and B6) and useful amounts of iron. In common with other beans and pulses, they are a good source of fibre, particularly soluble fibre, which can help to reduce high blood cholesterol levels. * Broccoli is an excellent source of beta-carotene and vitamins C and E. It also provides good amounts of the B vitamins niacin, folate and B6.
A, B1, C, calcium, potassium * B6, E, niacin, iron
Really enjoyed this tonight - really good as I think you could use any variety of veg. we are following a really low fat diet so I used no oil in the cooking - it was great!!! For the yogurt I did add the garlic but instead of tahini,which is very high in fat, I used a sweet chilli sauce, and added this to the yoghurt. For my taste I would use more spices but as a first time I thought it was terrific!! - 15 Apr 2012