Ingredients

Spiced Salmon:

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 star anise pod

2 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin $

2 teaspoons ground red pepper

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skinned

Harissa Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons paprika

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground red pepper

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

2 red bell peppers, roasted and peeled (about 3/4 cup)

1 garlic clove

Vegetable Couscous:

1 tablespoon olive oil

3/4 cup finely diced zucchini

3/4 cup finely diced peeled eggplant

1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup finely diced yellow bell pepper

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1 3/4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups uncooked couscous

1/2 cup finely diced tomato

1/3 cup finely chopped ripe olives

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Remaining Ingredients:

Cooking spray

6 tablespoons plain fat-free yogurt

Shredded fresh mint leaves (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°.

Prepare Spiced Salmon:

Place fennel and star anise in a spice or coffee grinder, and process until ground. Combine fennel mixture, ground cumin, ground red pepper, cardamom, turmeric, coriander, and cinnamon in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add salmon, and toss gently to coat. Seal bag and marinate salmon in refrigerator 1 hour, turning bag occasionally.

Prepare Harissa Vinaigrette:

Combine all ingredients in a blender; and process until smooth. Cover and set aside.

Prepare Vegetable Couscous:

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and add zucchini and next 4 ingredients (zucchini through onion). Sauté zucchini mixture 2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Reserve 2 tablespoons sautéed vegetables for garnish.

Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan, and gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat, and cover; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in remaining sautéed vegetables, tomato, olives, mint, and black pepper. Set aside; keep warm.

To complete recipe:

Remove Spiced Salmon from bag. Wipe skillet with a paper towel; wrap handle of skillet with foil. Coat pan with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add salmon; sauté 4 minutes per side. Place skillet in oven; bake at 450° for 4 minutes.

Place 1 1/4 cups Vegetable Couscous on each of 6 serving plates; top with a salmon fillet and 1 teaspoon reserved sautéed vegetables. Spoon 1 tablespoon Harissa Vinaigrette and 1 tablespoon yogurt in small dollops around salmon. Garnish with shredded fresh mint leaves, if desired.

Note: Harissa Vinaigrette can be prepared in advance; cover and chill. Leftover vinaigrette may be used as a sauce for vegetables or as a condiment for meats.