Vegan

Couscous, the basis of many North African dishes, is shaped like a grain but is actually a pasta made of semolina wheat. In fact couscous was incorporated into Italian cuisine when Arabs occupied Sicily six centuries ago. And so to flavor the following couscous we've used classic ingredients common to Sicily rather than North Africa-olives, peppers, capers, currants, and pine nuts.

The spicy North African condiment called harissa is often mixed with olives or served with salads, couscous, or tagines — meat or poultry stews.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve this with white rice for a dinnertime side dish or alongside ham and eggs for a satisfying breakfast.

Nowhere are vegetables as important as they are in Sicily, and few vegetables are as popular-or have as long a history-as the eggplant. There are said to be hundreds of ways to prepare it. Peppers and artichokes are almost as well loved and common. A country cook often gets produce from a small kitchen garden called an "urtu".

Terrific with turkey or any other roasted meats you might serve throughout the year.

You can use any type of good-quality olive in this spicy dish, but an assortment of black and green olives looks particularly nice.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

These can be prepared one week ahead.

Because the beans need to be soaked overnight, start making this a day or two before you plan to serve it.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Lemon adds a subtle acidity and a fresh tang to a wide range of dishes without overpowering other flavors. Our simple lemon vinaigrette is used in several components of the salad (making preparation that much easier) and it brings out something different in each.minutes or less.