"Food is our common ground, a universal experience." ~ James Beard

April 4, 2011

Mark's Couscous Casserole

  • 4  tablespoons  olive oil, plus more for the dish
  • 1  medium  onion, chopped
  • 1  tablespoon  garlic, minced
  • 1  pound  ground beef, pork, lamb, turkey, or chicken
  • 1/4  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
  • 2  medium  zucchini or summer squash, thinly sliced
  • 1/4  cup  chicken or vegetable stock or water
  • 4  cups  tomato sauce
  • 1/2  cup  couscous
  •   Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional
Directions 1. Oil a 1-1/2- to 2-quart gratin dish or any oblong baking pan. Heat the oven to 400 degree F.
2. Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and garlic and cook until just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the meat and stir to break it up; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 8 to 10 minutes more depending on the kind of meat; set aside.
3. While the meat cooks, put the zucchini slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer to the oven and roast until just tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degree F.
4. Put the stock and tomato sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle bubble. Stir in the couscous and turn off the heat; let sit for about 10 minutes.
5. Spoon a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and top with zucchini slices and then a portion of the meat. Repeat the layers until you have used up all the ingredients, finishing with the tomato sauce. Bake the casserole until it's bubbling along the edges, about 25 minutes. Serve hot, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese if you like.

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