Say YesYes to CousCous!

"Honey, you know I don't like couscous!"  This simple sentence was uttered and offered me a challenge.  How could I make couscous so that my husband would enjoy it?  It's not that he didn't like it, he just didn't prefer it as a substitute for a tastier, starchier side dish.  So it was my challenge to turn something the consistency of coarse sand into something delicious!  Mission accomplished!!!

If you haven't tried couscous, you really need to!  You can find it in every grocery store now, and even in a whole wheat variety.  It's a great source of protein, fiber, and is super quick to make.  Just use a 1:1 ratio of liquid to grain (you can use water, but I actually prefer vegetable or chicken stock).  Bring a cup of liquid to a boil in a small saucepan.  Take the pot off the heat and add 1 cup of dry couscous.  Cover and let sit for 5 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed.  Use a fork to fluff the grains.  How easy is that?!  Now you have a blank canvas to serve as a simple side dish and add whatever you please.  Here are a few ideas:

Couscous Salad with Shrimp

This is essentially prepared couscous mixed with a greek salad and topped with shrimp - delicious!

Salad:

1 cucumber- peeled, seeded and cut into small chunks

1/2 container cherry/grape tomatoes (sliced in half if larger)

1 small red onion - diced

Dressing: (these measurements are approximate since I always just eyeball it and taste as I go)

Combine 1/8 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tsp. black pepper, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. dill, 1 tsp. oregano.  Whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil. 

Shrimp:

Saute 1 lb peeled, deveined shrimp in 2 Tbsp olive oil.  Sprinkle with a tsp. of salt and pepper.  Shrimp should cook approx. 3 minutes until pink.  Squeeze juice of 1 lemon over shrimp.

Pour dressing over salad, add cooked couscous and stir to combine.  Serve with shrimp on top.  It's even better topped with feta cheese and kalamata olives.

For a similar idea using Quinoa instead of couscous, check out my friend's recipe!

Here's another option if you prefer your vegetables cooked!

Couscous with Vegetables

 

For the above picture,  I sauteed the vegetables on the stovetop.  It would be equally great if you're able to grill or roast them! Cook the following vegetables using your favorite method: 1 yellow onion, 1 green pepper, 1 zucchini, 1 yellow squash, 1/2 pint grape tomatoes.  Season with salt, pepper, oregano, basil and dill.  I also like to add a jarred roasted red pepper too!  This is great as a meal in itself, or as a side dish to chicken.

I hope that these ideas will also make your family say YesYes to CousCous!!