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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Curried Couscous and some thank-u's

My youngest son and I are the only ones in the house who enjoy couscous. Since that is the case, I don't make it very often. That said, I was pretty excited with this week's Barefoot Bloggers choice from Ellyn at Recipe Collector and Tester. Her choice was Curried Couscous from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. And can I just tell you, I was not disappointed! The cool thing about couscous is that it is super-quick to make! Pour over boiling water and voila!....5 minutes later you have couscous! Add your favorite flavors and you have a quick meal or side dish. Ina chose a flavor profile that I probably would not have and now that I've tried it once, I know that I'll make it again. Curried Couscous From The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten slightly adapted serves 6 1 1/2 c. couscous 1 Tbs. unsalted butter I omitted this 1 1/2 c. boiling water 1/4 c. plain yogurt 1/4 c. good olive oil 1 tsp. white wine vinegar 1 tsp. curry powder 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt I used 1 tsp. Smoked Bamboo Sea Salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 c. grated carrots 1/2 c. minced flat leaf parsley I used cilantro 1/2 c. dried currants I used 1/4 c. raisins & 1/4 c. dried cherries 1/4 c. blanched, sliced almonds 2 scallions, thinly sliced (white & green parts) 1/4 c. small-diced red onion Place the couscous in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in the boiling water and pour over the couscous. Cover tightly and allow the couscous to soak for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, curry, turmeric, salt and pepper. Pour over the fluffed couscous and mix well with a fork. Add the carrots, parsley, currants, almonds, scallions and red onions; mix well and taste for seasonings. Serve at room temperature. This was a great, simple dish that was packed full of flavor. The dried cherries that I used added a bright, tart bite and the cilantro added a brightness. I didn't find it lacking without the butter. The reason I didn't add the butter is because I never do (and I like it that way). This makes a great side dish or a wonderful "light" meal all on it's own. I do have a chicken breast marinating in some yogurt and spices that I'm going to throw on the grill (pan) for lunch and serve with this couscous. Great choice, Ellyn! Head on over to Barefoot Bloggers to see how everybody else's Curried Couscous turned out. I also want to say thank you to the lovely Mommy Gourmet of My Original Recipes for passing the One Lovely Blog Award on to me. If you don't already know her, go pay her a visit...she just shared with us how to make homemade Ricotta- YUM! I'd also like to say thank you to Rebecca of Chow and Chatter for passing this Friends award to me. If you're looking to learn about healthy eating and living...and finding some delicious recipes, head on over and pay my friend Rebecca a visit, I know you won't be disappointed! **and if you haven't yet decided to Pay it Forward and want to....click here to join in!**

Would you like to comment?

  1. I love couscous and this looks like a fabulous recipe - definitely bookmarked. Thank you!!

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  2. I like your changes. This looks so delicious!

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  3. I like your signature changes. This sounds like a wonderful recipe. Your pictures are terrific.

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  4. YUM!! That is definitely something we'd like at my house!

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  5. Love couscous, your curry couscous sounds so scrumptious. And oh, congratulation on your awards!

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  6. Yum!! I like couscous and combined with curry definitely sounds like a winner :)

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  7. This look delicious!! The yogurt-curry sauce looks so yummy, I bet it would be good on lots of things!

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  8. I haven't had couscous since I was a kid, when I didn't care for it. I should really try it again, my tastes have changed a lot since then.

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  9. Oooh, this looks good. I think I've only made couscous once in my life, I need to make it again!

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  10. oooh, i wish my family would eat couscous! it looks sooo good!! and i absolutely love curry!

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  11. this is soo wonderful...both AJ and I love couscous..it kinda feels very light yet filling. Love this curry flavour you have added to it! :)

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  12. I've never eaten couscous, so your recipe really has my interest. The funny thing is, my dyslexic brain thought the title read "curious couscous" for some strange reason.

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  13. I love cous cous!!. It's probably one of the easiest things to prepare. Well done! I've got to try this. I love the flavors going on in there too!

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  14. thank you so much can I have some cous cous? your son has good taste Rebecca

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  15. Now I know what I should prepare for the lunch tomorrow....

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  16. It all looks great - but I am especially interested in the smoked bamboo salt - sounds fantastic.

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  17. Me too, me too... The couscous looks awesome...!!! and where did you find the smoked bamboo salt...??

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  18. Ive seen people making this, and it looks really delicious! I love the cuury addition :)

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  19. Loved making this again. One of my favotites. Your adaptation is great. As usual!

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  20. This looks so terrific! I would love to try the Bamboo Salt!

    I should try to make this sometime. I've never made couscous with cherries. I bet they really add zing!

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  21. this was so good, i was pleasantly surprised. the sweetness from the raisins were the best part i think. your couscous looks great. and congrats on your awards!

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  22. Yay! I can get to your blog today!

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  23. That cous cous sauce looks delicious!!! I bet it'd be good in a curried chicken salad too. Great work!

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  24. with yogurt? yum! I LOVED the pic of you pouring the golden sauce all over the couscous...my heart skipped a bit!
    and what is this amazing-sounding bamboo sea salt I read?

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  25. ...for those wondering about the (Korean)Bamboo Roasted sea salt...made by roasting sea salt in bamboo stalks that are sealed with clay...it absorbs minerals from the bamboo & clay which permeates the salt... click on it in the ingredients and it will take you to the lady i get my sea salt from at my farmer's market. I think she may be all out of this kind (discontinued, sorry...it's really good), but there are soooo many other delicious kinds!!! Look on her LH sidebar under PRODUCTS...then either SEA SALTS or FUSION SALTS.

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  26. This is fabulous - and so easy. Definitely will be making this. I do love that you can do whatever you want with couscous - kind of like with risotto! Great recipe. COngrats on the sweet awards and - love the header photo - most welcoming.

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  27. Curried Couscous sounds excellent! All in our family would love it. I am intrigued by the Smoked Bamboo Sea Salt!

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  28. Me and the DH love couscous. This one looks really good. I like the combinations. I am getting ready to place an order for some of those fusion salts. I'm so excited to try them.

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  29. I've had couscus only once (hu!), made by our friend from Morocco, and I was just looking through some recipes to make. I'm definitely trying to make some soon.

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  30. Your changes sound perfect, and with all your delicious dishes, Id expect nothing less!

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  31. I haven't tried couscous before but this recipe looks really tasty with all those flavorful ingredients..

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  32. Mmmm, I love couscous but never prepared it like this. I just might give it a try to go with the chicken I'm making this evening :-)

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  33. This dish looks like a real winner. But you totally won my heart with smoked bamboo salt! I have a serious salt collection - but haven't heard of that one yet.

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  34. Impressive! Beyond impressive. Totally drool worthy.. love ye idea.. keep it up!!
    cheers!!

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  35. Dar,

    What time should I be over for a "BIG" bowl of couscous? YUMMY!!!

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  36. wow this looks a fabulous recipe and congrats on ur awards!!!

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  37. I sooo love couscous myself - thanks for putting it on my radar screen again - and curried, well, I live for curry

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  38. I love couscous, but I love the pictures of the veggies in your header even more! Beautiful pictures!

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  39. This couscous, sound packed full of flavor:)

    "Join today our growing food community and submit your heirloom recipe for all the world to share"

    Welcome~~~
    http://foodcreate.com

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  40. From the amounts of comments I see, this is a big yummy winning dish! You had me at curry :)

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  41. Wasn't it great with the cilantro? I totally agree that it elevated the dish. I bet it's going to be yummy with your chicken!

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  42. Couscous is so easy to make and i use it as the base for so many cold and hot dishes and salads. This recipe look fabulous and so flavorful!

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  43. i enjoyed this too! kind of surprising that your family doesn't like couscous... it seems pretty non-controversial... it's just pasta. but to each his own :)

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