Friday, November 6, 2009

Spinach and Onion Couscous

I was out grocery shopping the other day and picked up a big jar of tri-colored couscous. This is a fairly new discovery for me, but one which I've enjoyed, especially in this recipe. It makes a quick, different, and delicious side dish, faster than potatoes or pasta, and equally as versatile. I think the first time I had even heard of couscous was on the old the Galloping Gourmet show (remember Graham Kerr?) and long since then associated couscous with being gourmet, ergo out of my skill set. I forget now which TV chef showed me I could make it, but once I saw how easy it is, couscous has been in my pantry every since.

As my groceries were being rung up, the cashier looked at the bright specks of yellow, white and orange, turned the jar to face me, and said, "What is this?" "Couscous," I said absently, trying to organize my groceries on the conveyor belt. (I like my dairies to be together, the meats together, canned items, together, etc. No mixing and matching, please.) "Yes, but what is it?" she asked again. "I'd was wondering the same thing," the lady in line behind me said.

I started to give an encyclopedic description by saying it's pasta, often associated with Africa, made with semolina flour, and changed my mind. "You know how pasta comes in different shapes, right?" Nods and noises of affirmation followed. "Well, couscous is like little pasta seed pearls. At it's simplest, add hot chicken broth, wait five minutes, and you have pasta."

And yes, it is really pretty much that simple. This side dish is subtle in flavor (as pasta sans tomato sauce tends to be) and relies on the added ingredients to give it texture, flavor and color. No surprise, Ole Sweetie-Pi won't go near this (won't even try it) as he has that infuriating looks like rice-lice thing going on, even though he knows he loves pasta, spinach and onions. **Sigh**

I found this recipe on Recipezaar.

Spinach and Onion Couscous

1 medium onion chopped
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 14.5 ounce can chicken broth
1 10-ounce package chopped, frozen spinach
1 10-ounce package couscous
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup toasted pecans

In a saucepan, cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until tender.

Add the broth and spinach; cook and stir frequently until the spinach thaws.

Bring mixture to a boil and stir occasionally.

Add in couscous; stir to combine.

Cover, remove pan from heat, and let stand 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

Add remaining ingredients; stir to combine.

Serve immediately.

Now at this same grocery store, on a different day, as I was checking out, the bagger was a young woman. She was wrestling with a medium sized bottle, trying to decide which bag to put it in. She read the label, looked at me, and said "What is vanilla extract?"

My dear fellow bloggers, if ever you think what you do doesn't matter, that this is just a hobby, a place to store recipes, I beg to differ.

27 comments:

  1. Sometimes I forget that some people cant even boil water. It's hard to believe someone wouldn't know what vanilla extract was. I learned that at a very young age and taught my daughter when she was like 2.
    I love couscous. I made one once that looked like Halloween because of the colors of the ingredients that I added in. Maybe I should work on a Christmas version. LOL
    Give Ol' Sweety pie a swift kick from me for not eating his couscous!!! Looks and sounds delicious!

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  2. You are so clever just to jump right in and buy the cousocus and then look for a recipe. It certainly looks wonderful. I usually buy the box mixes of couscous, but now you've got me changed!

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  3. I love couscous. I've never seen it so colorful before though. The recipe looks wonderful. Sweetie Pi doesn't know what he's missing! I also have a thing about all my groceries being all sorted when I'm lining them up for being checked out....:)

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  4. This really looks delicious, Katy...I love couscous, but have not seen the tri-color yet. Ole sweetie pie just doesn't know whats good! LOL
    I like to keep my groceries in order too and I don't like it when the sackers mix things up, like putting my bread in with canned goods!
    You are right that we are contributing more than just a blog; there are so many people that don't have a clue how to begin cooking and I love to be able to help them learn!

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  5. This is lovely Katy. How flavourful and easy too !.... Cous Cous is a regular staple on my grocery list, its so easy to feed to the little girl too and I have so many ways I fix it, this recipe is one to add to my list for sure. Whats more, I too recently saw this tri colored version and was THRILLED to make the purchase...My little calls it...'Rainbow Cous Cous'...which totally works for me as long as she's not fussing to eat it !

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  6. Hi Dear, This looks a simple recipe to try especially as I am yet to experiment with couscous.

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  7. rice-lice thing...poor guy must have some mental scars in his past. My DIL in law thinks the same thing, only its not lice for her it rice-maggot thing...I'm SO GLAD that is one issue I don't have. I didn't even know couscous came in rainbow colors, thats very cool!!

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  8. Never tried any dish with couscous..this looks simple and delicious.....

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  9. Me and the kids love couscous!!! YUMMY

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  10. I've always wanted to try couscous! The fact that this particular recipe calls for spinach and onions is only an added bonus :)

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  11. Couscous is so overlooked! I don't know why - it's so delicious! I like this with the spinach and onions - my favorites. I'm inspired and definitely craving some now!

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  12. I'm always amazed how easy couscous is to cook. I don't know why I don't make if more. Your version looks great!

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  13. I lov couscous and very easy to cook...but never seen tri colored one,thats a droolworthy picture...yummmm

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  14. Hi Kathy,
    I don't know what is couscous :( But will look around in the market place.

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  15. oh cool, i didn't know there was a tricolored couscous out there, this looks wonderful!

    the other day i talked with a grown woman for a while about what an avacado tastes like and how to eat it. i was shocked, but grateful that i was able to help her!

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  16. I do remember Graham Kerr! I really like the look of the colored cous cous. It's much more fun than the plain kind! Nice recipe too!

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  17. Love your post, love couscous....very much too! Your ingredients used are all staples in my kitchen! Now....haven't met someone who does not know what vanilla is but often meet people with what I consider basic items....who do not know what they are. I love that more and more people are experimenting at home with foods, spices and savories....and this tough economic time is bringing out some real 'at home' chefs!

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  18. Your couscous is so delicious Katy, I love couscous. Nice recipe.

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  19. Yummy yummy....i just loved this dish...will definitely try

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  20. This dish looks very pretty..great to serve company. For me I'd have to minus the onions..I'm used to that I have to do it all the time..hubby really doesn't like them and so I have learned to cook without and can't 'stomach them' anymore either..what is that?? Love?? grin

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  21. I've never tried couscous. Sounds good with all those ingredients!

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  22. Nice one Katy. It looks so colorful and yummy yum..Would love to try this recipe soon.

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  23. We love couscous at our house. It's so easy to make and the kids enjoy it. This recipe looks wonderful!

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  24. How are you sweet Katy?? I've never had this before but you make something that I also thought was gourmet sound easy. It looks great!

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  25. I would enjoy this. I think the colors make it outstanding looking. It is nice to have a dish that stands out and looks appealing.

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  26. There is something wonderfully tastey about coucous. I have some spinach cous cous in my pantry that I need to use soon.

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  27. I bought some of this colorful couscous, the other day. I could not resist. I thought it would make some pretty dishes and I was right. It took you to show me. Now, I have to make something too.

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