it does sound lovely, and quite fittin as winter sets in CA! I’ve been finding comfort in baking breads recently, with fall favorites like Pumpkin and Apples:)

Heidi-I love your blog because I love food, food writing, and (as an added aesthetic bonus) beautiful photos to compliment the whole experience. What I also love is that it’s like the dinner table – no politics or religion discussed! Even though I don’t agree with throwing it in, it certainly made for interesting and entertaining reading! I will continue to come to your table and enjoy every minute of it. Thank you.

Sorry this comment thread got so off-topic, Heidi. Brian Moss’s comment was completely incoherent and badly expressed, and not worth making much out of. As it relates to food, yes, there is a common trend in the US (and the West in general) where foods that are considered to be peasant staples in other parts of the world are elevated to the gourmet, and often expensive, status. While this is historically and culturally interesting, and can be seen in anything from polenta to lobster, I don’t see why an intelligent person would find that reason for offense. Brian Moss seems to have confused openness and appreciation for new and varied flavours and nutritive properties for misappropriation, insensitivity to the plight of the rest of the world, and pretentiousness, none of which was actually reflected here. It’s his problem if he can’t tell the difference.
However, I had to step in when I read Said’s comment. As an American, I will say that by circumstance and definition, Americans are often better-positioned than citizens of other nations to help the world, and many individuals strive to do so. But it’s just shameful to spread the lie that the American government itself is helpful and generous. Yes, America has meddled possibly more than any other nation in world affairs, but in terms of actual aid, you can see the shameful stinginess exhibited by the US government. Two quick examples would be when it came to donations during the Tsunami that hit Asia, and how the US stacks up against other nations in alleviating poverty: http://www.poverty.com/internationalaid.html.
Heidi, your recipe post did not deserve Brian Moss’s misguided rant anymore than the US deserves Said’s false praise.

I can’t wait to see your next creation in my inbox. This soup was a fab dinner last night and I’ve just made Nikki’s cookies and they’re fantastic….. actually there aren’t words. Hello from South Africa looking forward to the next installment

I’m even a tad bid lazier — I picked up a bag of Bird’s Eye Baby Broccoli mix (it’s got broccoli florets, water chestnuts, edamame, and some funny looking little carrots) and used this instead of the broccoli and cauliflower. And, oh my goodness, what a fantastic soup! I’m sad that my husband is out of town and not around to enjoy it with me! Thanks Heidi!

this recipe was amazing! i made it tonight and threw in some Soyrizo for protein, and wow… it was super filling. a soup that is definitely a meal.

I love soup, hands down. Doesn’t matter if it takes 10 minutes or 10 hours!
Thanks for a quick soup Heidi!

can’t wait to try this–love the broccoli/cauliflower combo.

Wow, so fast and so delicious. I never would have thought to use couscous in soup. I made this last night with 2 C broccoli tossed in with the couscous and then 1 C of shimeiji mushrooms tossed in a couple minutes later. It was so good that I had it again for breakfast! Thanks Heidi!

This sounds really awesome and I love recipes that are more like guidelines- it really lets you experiment to find something that will be a hit with your own family!

I’ve only had couscous once or twice and it’s good. I’m constantly looking for new and inventive ideas. Hence the reason I’ve been scouring your blog now for several months.
I love the ideas and am wondering one thing, how does one know a “sugar” pumpkin from a “jack o lantern” pumpkin? I wanted to try your roasted pumpkin salad but got a bit overwhelmed at the local store.
This time if year there’s just lots of pumpkins.
Thanks.

When you said 10 minutes, I was sold. Sometimes making homemade soup can be a pain, but thanks for this recipe!

Thanks, Mr. Moss. I have to agree. We ARE cute. We’re also kind and generous and compassionate, giving billions of dollars extracted through our taxes to hundreds of nations around the globe, and millions and millions more in the form of direct donations and contributions. We may be well fed and fat, but we are a good and decent people who have done far more to help those less fortunate in the world than ANY other nation on earth. You have a nice day, now, you hear?

Brian Moss:
Okay, I am a spoiled American. I live a lot better than most of the people in the world. I do try (in my inadequate way) to have a minimal impact on the planet. I grow some of my own vegetables and fruit and share them with the neighbors. I appreciate this website because it has a lot of good suggestions for vegan meals. I am curious what you think we Americans should do to be less *spoiled.* And you must also be somewhat spoiled, since you do have a computer and you do have time to visit this website and write messages.
So, what do you suggest? – What do I need to do to be less spoiled, and why does visiting a website with vegan recipes earn your scorn?

Wow! Looks yummy. A very cool idea for a fast and delicious soup!

Oh, that’s going to be perfect for tonight after my pumpkin-carving and cookie-making party! Thanks, Heidi!

Wow. Mr. Moss is angry. Have a cookie, pal. I think the soup looks fabulous. Wondering about using Israeli cous-cous too? What do you think?

One of my traveling companions used to do something like your office version, but he went one step easier. He’d pour hot water from a gas station coffee machine into a travel mug containing dry couscous and a bouillon cube.
It wasn’t fine dining, but it was better than anything he could have actually bought at the gas station.
http://www.teaandfood.blogspot.com

A simple tasty recipe for a busy week. I’m going to try using Quinoa this way too.

Heidi must have ESP for I have a box of couscous also in my pantry and its a bit chilly today in MN. I know what I am having for lunch! Thank you

Yummy! I have a package of Israeli couscous in the pantry from Trader Joe’s. It’s a mixture with tri-colored orzo, split peas and baby garbanzo’s and it’s great. I will try it this way.

When I first saw the title of the dish, I was slightly dismayed, as I have recently had to give up wheat (among other things). But lucky me, here I discovered -two- wheat-free couscous options, one I’d never heard of! I’ll have to do some hunting for that barley couscous, but quinoa is easily come by. I’m guessing the quinoa will need to be precooked (if I recollect rightly, it takes 10-20 minutes to cook up) before being added to the soup-ness.

I hadn’t thought of doing that using couscous – I tend to use instant noodles! Like another poster, I don’t care for raw broccoli/cauliflower and they definitely disagree with me, so I’d have to cook them a little in the broth first.
I have some lovely soup right now which today I thickened with noodles – maybe tomorrow with couscous?

Hmm. I’d normally just delete a nasty comment like that. I mean, I’m all for articulate criticism, but that comment is just bizarre. Serves me right for sleeping in (and not requiring approval for each comment before going live)….
If it continues to lead all the comments off topic, I’ll think about pulling it later, or simply shut down the comments for this post. I think the best thing to do with antagonistic comments is to ignore them.
Happy Monday 😉 I’m off to fix myself a bowl of designer oatmeal. -h

I make a similar quick couscous soup, but with a more Mexican flair. Use some leftover flavorful broth, add leftover tomato sauce (I use the Hunt’s with no salt added) or crushed tomatoes, throw in some chopped zucchini, and dump in couscous, a dash of lime juice (fresh is best, but the concentrated stuff works fine too), and your favourite hot sauce (my fave is Melinda’s XXX). It’s a good running-out-the-door meal.

love the idea of using quinoa. and choosing to ignore mr. moss!

Elina-
Thank you for that. Very well put. I don’t know if I was more irritated that he was making such a ridiculous, irrational argument or that he chose to do it on Heidi’s beautiful blog where it certainly doesn’t belong. Mr. Moss, we are talking about food here, not corrupt banking systems or American stereotypes. You may not believe in me, but quite frankly I don’t believe in perpetuating negativity, so please do us a favor and take yours elsewhere.

I’ve never had couscous in soup before – looks interesting!

Couscous is great, but even grester is that I just learned that if I “Google” myself and search among over 1,000,000 entries for Michael R. Bash and Michael “L” (another guy) and Michael whoever Bash, I can find every comment I ever made on any blog or as a review of a book on Amazon. Amazing! and watch what you say.

Dear Brian Moss,
Your argument is bizarre and unclear. You point seems to be that people in the West shouldn’t eat couscous because in some countries it is eaten in order to stay alive. Well, that’s true of rice, for one, or food in general. Does that mean that we shouldn’t eat anything at all? As for ‘designer food’ – what exactly is that, and could you please point out where in this post it is being mentioned? I assume that by this term you were trying to refer to all things gastronomy. But perhaps the point of your argument is that people shouldn’t try to cook tasty, appealing food at all? It’s hard to tell with your poor and illogical argumenting, Brian. And by the way, even as a non-American, I am offended by your blatant stereotyping; do try to refrain from that the next time and concentrate instead on constructing your little soap box moment a bit better, and maybe people will be more inclined to listen.
Dear Heidi,
Thank you for the marvelous idea. I’d never thought of using couscous this way. This certainly solves the problem of what I’m having for lunch today.

Thank you very much, I bought a packet and I was trying to find the recipe, this just come on time for me to try.
Kind regards,
Lucy

while you Americans are commenting on couscous as designer food – and at the same time individually paying off the corruption of the banking system – it would be time to reflect on the starvation of the third world.
Couscous is a survival food – a way of preserving the harvest,
I can hardly believe of the logic or philosophy behind 101 Cookbooks – even ‘tho I cook a great deal.
You Americans are just spoiled and cute and I do not believe in you.
BRIAN MOSS.

I will add some more chili and parmesan cheese.I am sure ıt will taste great! Thanks Heidi:)

For those who live in a wheat-free world, Quinoa would work soooo well with this delicious recipe! Thanks for the inspiration, Heidi.

Woohoo, Monday’s dinner problem is solved! As usual, Heidi, this looks superb, grazi!

Think this would taste good substituting bulgar for the couscous? I know the cooking method would be a bit different. Maybe just precook the bulgar and add it in after the veggies were in for a few mins.
I tried couscous not too long ago and was unimpressed, but I’m not really a pasta person. I am wondering if maybe I’d like the whole wheat or barley type better…

I agree with Sol, what a great idea for food to take camping! And while it’s not soup time of year here in Australia, with summer fast approaching, it is time to be eating healthily… 🙂 What a lovely idea for quick to make, light flavoursome fare.

I agree with Sol, what a great idea for food to take camping! And while it’s not soup time of year here in Australia, with summer fast approaching, it is time to be eating healthily… 🙂 What a lovely idea for quick to make, light flavoursome fare.

It’s definitely “soup” time of year as well… thanks for the quick recipe!
Teddy

love this recipe! I’m a huge fan of couscous but I’ve never had it in a soup and this one looks fantastically easy – thanks!

So very tempting, this is. Perfect for an easy weeknight, and steamed cauliflower is one of my faves. Thank you, Heidi, cannot wait to try this.

I love how simple this dish is, but it’s not boring. Nothing is worse than a boring dish 🙂 If I used barley, should I boil the grain longer? It takes a little whole longer for barley to cook, unlike couscous which cooks in minutes.

This would be wonderful camping food!

Just tried this but added some Trader Joes chicken sausage that I pan fried for color with just a touch of oil. Fantastic one pot meal. Great recipe.

Excellent idea, I’ve got a huge container of whole wheat couscous lying around that I couldn’t find a use for. What do you think about using a boxed butternut squash soup as the base? I think it would add some great flavor…

Looks very delicious couscous.
I will make it for this weekend with my family.
Thanks for your sharing.

So simple – love the possibilities of this for using up odds and ends of veg
I use that same brand of barley couscous. It’s a bit firmer than regular cous cous so much easier to cook without ending up with a soggy mess!

That is such a good idea – I love homemade soup, but often don’t have the time to make it! I think there is some couscous hanging out in my cupboard calling my name!

that looks yummy! I truly love couscous, in all forms. My only problem with the quickness of this recipe would be that I don’t like my broccoli and cauliflower raw. So I’d probably steam them before throwing together the soup. after perusing your irish beef stew recipe today I’m really gonna have to try this soup next week 🙂

I just bought some couscous — can’t wait to try! I love easy and fresh recipes. 🙂

That’s the beauty of couscous, that it cooks so quickly. As long as you already have a good stock on hand, there is no limit to the number of great soups you can make with it.