Balsamic Tomato Couscous Recipes

MOROCCAN TOMATO COUSCOUS RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat a splash of sunflower or vegetable oil in a medium-sized pot.
• Once the oil is hot pour one can of blended or well-chopped tomatoes into the pot.
• Add salt to taste, pepper to taste, 1/2 tbsp of 35 spices (optional Moroccan spice), 1/8 tsp of oregano, 1/8 tsp of marjoram, and 1-2 tbsp of tomato puree.
• Add 2-3 cups of water or chicken/vegetable stock to the pot. Stir the mixture and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Then bring the mixture to a boil.
• Next, add 350 g of couscous to the pot.
• Stir the couscous. Leave to cook on low to medium heat for 7-10 minutes or until soft. Turn the couscous from time to time and add more water if necessary. Option to add 1/4 of thinly sliced onions.
• Once the couscous has softened add 1/2 to 1 tbsp of butter and use a fork to stir lightly. This will add moisture to the couscous.
• Don't forget to garnish with fresh parsley!

BALSAMIC TOMATO COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium pan, bring the broth to a boil.
• When it is boiling add the basil and garlic and stir. Then add the couscous, cover the pan, and remove it from the heat. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
• Chop the tomatoes.
• In a small bowl mix the balsamic vinegar, the oil, and the pepper. Add the tomatoes.
• When the couscous is ready add the tomato mixture and mix well.
• Serve hot or cold.

COUSCOUS WITH ARUGULA AND BALSAMIC TOMATOES

Steps:

• For the couscous:
• In a heavy sauce pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and lightly saute onions until opaque. Add garlic and saute to aroma. Add the chicken stock, salt, white pepper and dried apricot and bring to a full boil. Place the couscous in a 4 quart pan and pour the chicken stock mixture over and mix thoroughly. Cover tightly and wrap - allow to stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and fold in olives and pine nuts, chives and feta cheese. Meanwhile, fine dice the seedless flesh of the Roma tomato, toss in the 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and white pepper and garnish with arugula.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS, BEAN AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine finely chopped tomatoes, garlic, salt, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Add beans and Israeli couscous and toss together. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes (or longer).
• Meanwhile, place chopped onion in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Soak 5 minutes, drain and rinse. Drain on paper towels and add to couscous and bean mixture. Add basil, chives, and pepper, and toss together.
• Line plates or a platter with lettuce leaves. Top with salad. Sprinkle feta over the top and serve.

TOMATO BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH SPINACH AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Wash spinach leaves a few minutes ahead of time and allow to dry in a salad-spinner or colander.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook about 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove the chicken and set aside. To the same pan, add the spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Lower the heat to medium and add the balsamic vinegar and chicken broth to the pan and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Add the tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place the couscous in a serving bowl. Top with the spinach, chicken and balsamic-tomato sauce.
• *A few pointers:.
• I use either thin-sliced chicken or pound the chicken so it's about a 1/2 inch thick. It cooks much more evenly that way. This recipe is also tasty with a dash or two of dried basil and rosemary and a few turns of fresh ground black pepper added to the vinegar/tomato mixture. The prep time of this recipe includes washing the spinach, cooking the couscous and pounding the chicken.

TOMATO, BASIL AND COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Bring broth to boil in medium saucepan. Add couscous. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Fluff with fork. Cool.
• Mix all ingredients except cherry tomatoes into couscous. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill.) Garnish with cherry tomatoes.

BALSAMIC COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over low heat. Saute onion and garlic slowly until tender, approximately 15 minutes.
• Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Add couscous, cover pan, remove from heat, and let stand for 5 - 10 minutes.
• Pour couscous into a bowl and top with vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir until combined. You may wish to add less or more vinegar depending on what you like. 3T works for us.