Couscous Soup

**Ingredients:**

– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 medium carrots, diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 1 medium zucchini, diced
– 1/2 cup couscous (small or medium grain)
– 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric (optional, for color and flavor)
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
– 1/2 lemon, juiced (optional, for brightness)

**Instructions:**

1. **Sauté the Vegetables:**
– In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
– Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
– Add the minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery, and cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

2. **Add Broth and Spices:**
– Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth.
– Stir in the turmeric, cumin, and coriander.
– Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

3. **Add the Couscous:**
– Stir in the couscous and diced zucchini.
– Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the couscous is cooked and the zucchini is tender.

4. **Finish the Soup:**
– Stir in the chopped parsley and the lemon juice if using.
– Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.

5. **Serve:**
– Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra parsley if desired.
– Serve hot, with crusty bread on the side for a complete meal.

This Couscous Soup is warm, comforting, and perfect for a light lunch or dinner. The addition of spices like cumin and turmeric gives it a lovely depth of flavor, while the couscous adds heartiness to the dish. Enjoy!