Monday, June 25

Chicken and Pine Nut Couscous

I just made this for lunch, and we all stuffed ourselves silly. Mmmm ...

Chicken and Pine Nut Couscous
by Brea!

2 c whole grain couscous (you can find this in the bulk bins at Whole Foods)
4 c fat free chicken stock or water
1 c finely cubed cooked chicken
1/3 c lightly toasted pine nuts
3 heaping T chopped herbs (I liked basil, flat leaf parsley, and some rosemary)
2 heaping T minced leeks (onions or shallots would work fine, too)
4 cloves garlic, diced
olive oil, salt, and pepper

Pour at least 1/4 c olive oil into the bottom of a sauce pan, and bring to medium high heat. Add garlic, leeks, and herbs, and a generous pinch of salt. Sautee until onion is just soft, and add stock or water. Bring to a boil, then add pine nuts and couscous. Remove from heat and cover immediately. Let stand for 5 minutes, until couscous has absorbed all the liquid, and fluff with a fork. Add chicken and stir. Garnish with chives if desired.

This is great served with a nice mixed greens salad, and cooks up super fast. Including all the picking of herbs, and chopping of herbs and veggies, this whole thing took me about 10 minutes from start to finish. What's not to love about that?? And it's super healthy, too. My kids scarfed it, and had seconds. Sam and John and thirds, and David just sat there like a little bird, waiting for each bite. (He doesn't get the chicken or pine nuts yet, of course ...)

You could also make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for a day or two and reheat it. Just be sure that you reheat it covered, and add a little extra water to keep it from drying out.

So, go make this. Tomorrow. And enjoy!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hey Brea,

I have a great, simple couscous recipe for you. I make it on a regular basis and just LOVE it!

Chickpea Coucous

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup raisins
1 tsp. olive oil
salt and pepper
1/2 cup couscous (I use Hodgson Mills whole wheat)

Combine chickpeas, raisins, oil, 1 c. water and salt and pepper (to taste) in a pot; bring to a boil. stir in couscous, cover pot, and remove from heat. Wait 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.