Slightly spiced cous cous (Couscous)

Member Name: dougal868

Product:	Couscous
Date:	07/05/09 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very tasty and healthy too!

Disadvantages: None

I've always loved couscous but I've never quite been able to get the hang of cooking it! Mine always seemed to end up bland and soggy and just not as nice as supermarket prepared stuff or even the flavoured packet varieties. However, I took yet another gamble the other day - chucked a few things together and it tasted fab! Here's how it goes...

SLIGHTLY SPICED COUSCOUS

In a large-ish bowl put 100g dry couscous, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp cumin and a large pinch of dried herbs (thyme is quite nice but you can use whatever you like). Pour in approx 300ml chicken stock. Stir, cover and leave to one side.

Put around 5ml olive oil in a large frying pan and heat then add in some chopped veg (whatever you like really but I used 1/2 courgette and 1/4 each of red and yellow peppers). Cook through in the oil and add 75g chick peas (from a can is most convenient!). Add a good squeaze of garlic puree and cook through until the veg is quite soft.

By the time the veg is cooked, the cous cous should also be ready - fluff up with a fork then add the veg mixture to it and stir well.

You can then eat it warm or allow to cool and have as a salad. It's lovely with some salad leaves, olives and you can even add in some chopped dried apricots and maybe serve with a dollop of creme fraiche. It keeps well in the fridge for a few days if you keep it in an airtight container so it's also a nice one to make at the begining of the week then you have an easy lunch for a couple of days.

I'm also currently calorie counting everything (I WILL be thin!!) so I can tell you that 100g of the couscous recipe is approx 150 calories (remember to add in the extra calories for any additions you make e.g. olives, etc).

Yum!

Summary: Yummy!