TUESDAY'S DINNER
Give-a-nod-to-Autumn Couscous $0.70
Here in So Cal we are spoiled with lots of produce all year long. But there are some things that are loveliest at the end of summer and beginning of autumn: tomatoes, eggplant, fresh herbs, squashes and gourds. And this dish really says a nice little thank you to the season and its bounty. I do believe it's just kind and good-willed to wink at Autumn as she makes her way to our hemisphere once again.
I love couscous. Mostly because it's fun to say. Say it as if you're an excited hen and it's even more fun! For this dish, I adapted a Rachel Ray recipe. I think it would have been really tasty with some golden raisins or currants thrown in. In a large warmed skillet, I poured a couple tbs olive oil, a chopped onion, a couple of chopped squashes (zucchini and yellow squash from the farmers market), and salt and pepper. I then added about a half cup of pumpkin (canned--I ain't got time to be hollowing out jack-o-lanterns...not yet anyway) and about a carton (4 cups or so) of chicken broth. Yes, I've been known to be a bit of a food snob and usually like to make my own (say it like Thurston Howell, III) stocks and broths, but I'm also a busy mama and I ain't always got time to be simmerin' stuff (see above-mentioned jack-o-lantern issue). Bring it to a boil and toss in about a 1/3 of a palmful of coriander seed, and ground cumin. Stir it in, add about 2-1/2 cups of whole wheat couscous and stir it in. Cover, remove from heat for about 5 mins. Then fluff with a fork and add some chopped fresh parsley and cilantro and a chopped seeded tomato. YUM. We enjoyed this as a main dish with some leftover black bean soup on the side, but this could go well as a side for anything really.
Hi Erin!
ReplyDeleteSo I made this recipe (forgot the tomato and didn't remember until after I ate it) and it was yummy. The only problem is that the recipe made enough for an army!! What to do with all the leftovers!!? I think I'll have to do a 1/3 of it next time! Thanks for this blog - its super fun and very informative!
-Susie Mack
Yay! Glad you liked! You could try doing this with the leftovers...if you're feeling adventurous:
ReplyDeleteMash up a can of white beans (cannellinis/white kidneys), mix in a little bit of corn meal, and throw in the left over couscous stuff. Mix it all up and make little patties. Fry them in some olive oil... Not sure if it would work but I'm thinking a modified falafel?!