Balsamic Couscous Recipes

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.

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.

EASY COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Bring stock to a boil in a heavy saucepan.
• Stir in couscous.
• Cover pan, remove from heat and set aside 15 minutes Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mustard and lemon zest in a small bowl.
• Mix well.
• Transfer couscous to a large bowl.
• Fluff with a fork.
• Add tomatoes, red bell pepper, celery, cucumber, scallions and parsley to bowl with cooked couscous.
• Mix gently.
• Pour dressing over mixture and mix again.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Can be served luke-warm or chilled.

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH VEGETABLES AND LEMON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat large saute pan on grates of the grill over medium heat. Add couscous and toast until lightly golden brown.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat, add 1 tablespoon salt and toasted couscous and cook until al dente. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Add grilled vegetables, olives, basil, and vinaigrette and toss until combined; season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving or cover and refrigerate.
• Whisk shallot, juice, zest, vinegars, and salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH GARLIC COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place chicken in a shallow dish and pour over the combined vinegar, chicken stock, sugar and garlic.
• Let marinate at least 10 minutes per side.
• To make couscous: pour boiling stock over couscous in a large bowl.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to stand for 5 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
• Heat butter or margarine over medium-low heat and saute garlic and thyme for about 3 minutes (garlic should be soft but not brown).
• Add the couscous to the pan and stir for 3 minutes.
• To cook the chicken, preheat an oiled frying pan over medium-high heat.
• Cook chicken about 4 minutes per side.
• Add the marinade to the pan and cook for an additional 1 minute per side or until the chicken is cooked through and the marinade has thickened.
• Place couscous and top with chicken and sauce.

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.