GRILLED MERGUEZ AND ONIONS WITH MINT-LEMON COUSCOUS

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Grilled Merguez and Onions With Mint-Lemon Couscous image

In this summery salad, spicy merguez are grilled until seared, then served over a mound of couscous and vegetables that have been seasoned with herbs, cumin and plenty of lemon. Red onions wedges, grilled on one side only, are charred and caramelized in some parts while staying crisp and pungent in others. If you can't get merguez (which are traditional North African sausages made from lamb, beef or a combination of both), you can substitute any other spicy sausages. Choose something with a bite to contrast with the juicy sweetness of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. Note that those without grill access can easily use the broiler here.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     weekday, grains and rice, sausages, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 1/4 cups boiling water
2 cups couscous (regular or whole wheat)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more as needed
2 lemons
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes
1 red onion, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges
8 ounces merguez (lamb or beef)
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup roughly chopped mint leaves, plus more for garnish
1 cup roughly chopped parsley leaves and stems, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds

Steps:

  • Make the couscous: In a medium, heat-resistant bowl, combine boiling water, couscous and 1 teaspoon salt, and cover with a plate or lid. Let sit until the water is absorbed, 7 to 12 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, light the grill to medium-high or heat your broiler with the rack 3 inches from the heat source.
  • Halve lemons crosswise and then squeeze the juice from one half into a large bowl. Add cumin, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Slowly whisk in 1/3 cup olive oil. Stir in radishes and set aside to marinate.
  • Place onion wedges and remaining 3 lemon halves, cut-side down, in a grill basket and grill until charred on one side only, 2 to 4 minutes. Or place on a sheet pan and broil until charred, 5 minutes. Transfer onions and lemons to a cutting board.
  • Either on the grill, or on the same sheet pan as you used for the onions, grill or broil merguez until browned all over, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer sausages to a cutting board and cover with foil to keep warm while you assemble the salad.
  • When onion is cool enough to handle, dice it and add to radishes. Fold in couscous, tomatoes, 1/2 cup mint, 1/2 cup parsley, cucumbers, nuts and a large pinch of salt. Squeeze the juice from a charred lemon half into the bowl. Taste and add more salt and lemon, if needed. Slice merguez on a bias into 1/2-inch pieces.
  • To serve, spoon couscous salad onto a platter, then top with sausages and any accumulated juices. Garnish with remaining herbs and a big drizzle of olive oil, and serve with remaining charred lemon halves on the side for more squeezing.

Hossein Midas
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This dish is a great way to experience the flavors of North African cuisine. The merguez sausages are a unique and flavorful sausage, and the couscous is a light and fluffy side dish.


Musba GT
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This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but it's worth the effort. The merguez sausages are so flavorful and the couscous is cooked to perfection.


Anthony Witherspoon
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I made this dish for a potluck and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved the unique flavors of the merguez sausages and the couscous.


White xxx
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This recipe is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. The couscous is a healthy and filling side dish, and the merguez sausages are a fun and flavorful way to add some protein.


Lilla Csicsmann
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I've never had merguez sausages before, but I'm glad I tried them in this dish. They're so flavorful and juicy.


Pri Qamar
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This dish is perfect for a summer cookout. The grilled merguez sausages are smoky and delicious, and the couscous is a refreshing side dish.


Shaheen Baloch
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover merguez sausages. I also added some chopped tomatoes and zucchini to the couscous.


Rose Gaines
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I'm not a big fan of merguez sausages, but I loved this dish. The onions and couscous were so flavorful that I didn't even miss the sausages.


Shuan Gillis,Sr
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This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but I still enjoyed it. The flavors were well-balanced and the couscous was cooked perfectly.


Samantha Russell
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I found this recipe to be a bit bland. The merguez sausages lacked flavor and the couscous was dry.


Nathan D
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This dish is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. You can adjust the amount of spice in the merguez sausages or add different vegetables to the couscous.


Kami McManus
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I love the combination of flavors in this dish. The merguez sausages are spicy and flavorful, the onions are sweet and caramelized, and the couscous is fluffy and light.


David Sinkonis
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This recipe is a great way to introduce people to North African cuisine. The merguez sausages are a unique and flavorful sausage that pairs well with the couscous and vegetables.


MD Din islam Dinu
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I've made this dish several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The flavors of the merguez, onions, and couscous blend together perfectly.


Destany Yakimo
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This dish was a hit at my last dinner party. The merguez sausages were perfectly grilled and the couscous was fluffy and flavorful. The mint-lemon sauce added a refreshing brightness to the dish.