MOROCCAN-STYLE SPICY COUSCOUS

Posted by Carole-Anne on March 7, 2008

Healthy Recipes has found a nutritious, low-fat, meatless dish for dinner to spice up any cold day.   Couscous, mushrooms and chick peas make a delicious nutritious main meal.

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cups chicken broth (use alternate vegetable broth)

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp hot red pepper flakes

1 tbsp grated fresh ginger root

2 cloves minced garlic

12 fresh, sliced mushrooms

1 1/2 cups sliced carrots

1 cup sweet red pepper, chopped

1 (19 0z) can chick peas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

1 cup whole wheat couscous

NOW FOLLOW ME CAREFULLY:

In a large saucepan, mix broth, cumin, coriander, hot chili pepper flakes, ginger root and garlic;  bring mixture to a boil.  Add mushrooms, carrots and onion and cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes. 

Meanwhile, place the couscous in a medium bowl and pour 1 cup boiling water over it; cover and let sit for 5 minutes. 

Add red peppers, chick peas and raisins to mushroom mix; cook 2 to 3 minutes until hot.  Taste and add 1/4 tsp sea salt and pepper, if necessary.  Stir in parsley.

Fluff couscous into individual serving dishes.  Place vegetable mixture around the couscous and top with broth evenly distributed.

Garnish with pine nuts. 

This is a terrific dish to serve on a day when you just don’t know what to make; it is so tasty, easy to make, low in calories and fat, and it is meatless.  What more could we ask?

Healthy Recipe’s scrumptious meal serves 4.

LEMON ORZO CHICKEN

Posted by Carole-Anne on February 23, 2008

Healthy Recipes found this wonderful recipe using orzo in it. Orzo is a pasta  (small pieces similar to rice in size).  I love pasta (healthy pasta) that is so this was just what I was looking for.  Join me!

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz orzo

1 cup frozen peas

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 shallots minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1/2 tsp sea salt

2 tbsp grated lemon zest (peel)

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese crumbled

NOW FOLLOW ME:

In a large pot of boiling water, add orzo according to package directions.  Add peas during the last 10 seconds of cooking orzo and drain.

While orzo is boiling on stove, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add shallots and garlic to skillet and cook, stirring  often, until shallots are tender (2 minutes).

Add chicken and 1/4 tsp of sea salt and saute until chicken is cooked through (4 minutes).

Remove from heat and add remaining 1/4 tsp sea salt, lemon zest, lemon juice and pepper to skillet stirring to coat chicken. 

Add drained orzo with peas, mint, and crumbled feta cheese and toss gently to combine.

Recipe is ready to serve hot, or if you wish, it may be served at room temperature or even chilled.  That is what I call an uncomplicated recipe!  You must try this as it is so tasty. 

Healthy Recipe makes 4 servings.