The Vegetarian Tree: The Fruit is Good!: Balsamic Tomato Couscous

Mormon Moms for Vegetarian, Vegan and Raw Cooking!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Balsamic Tomato Couscous

Speaking of having an abundance of garden fresh tomatoes (...no? See post below)...

I made THIS great couscous the other night. It was really very good. My two year old ate it up and my husband was happy to see that I had doubled the recipe so there would be plenty for him to take for lunch for the rest of the week.

Couscous is surprisingly higher in protein then people usually think. 1 cup of cooked couscous has 6 grams of protein. Surprised that this light and fluffy grain could have so much power packed in it? I was. (it's also a good source of selenium and has many other vitamins and minerals to offer...just so you know). I just always thought of it as pretty weak because it's just so dainty on the plate. But don't be fooled by its pretty appearance, couscous can hold its own.

Now, back to the recipe.

I did make one slight change to the recipe. I didn't use nearly as much balsamic as the recipe called for (although I think it would have been delicious...I LOVE BALSAMIC!) before I was feeding 4 children...all 3 and under and also vinegar and this pregnancy do not agree with each other. So I just marinated the tomatoes in the dressing and then I drained them quite a bit before adding the couscous.

We served this with roasted carrots and potatoes, steamed asparagus and whole grain bread on with vegan butter spread. It was a delicious dinner!

Balsamic Tomato Couscous

2 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups uncooked couscous
3 TBS balsamic vinegar
2 tsp olive oil
5 small tomatoes, seeded and diced
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a medium sauce pan, bring broth to a boil. Then add the basil and garlic and stir.
2. Add the couscous, cover the pan and remove from heat. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
3. Seed and chop tomatoes and transfer them into serving bowl.
4. In a small bowl mix balsamic vinegar and olive oil and a touch of salt and pepper, pour over tomatoes. Toss.
5. Fluff couscous with a fork and then add to serving bowl. Toss together coating everything in the dressing.
6. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot or cold.

ENJOY!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Doctrine and Covenants 89:10-16

"I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—Every herb (plant) in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine. All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth. And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger. All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground." (emphasis added)

John A. Widstoe

"It was shown in the history of plant science that plants contain all the necessary food substances: proteins, fats, starches and the carbohydrates, minerals...water {and} vitamins. The Great builder of the earth provided well for the physical needs of His children. Countless varieties of edible plants, vegetables, cereals, fruits and nuts are yielded by Mother Nature for man's daily food. If one uses meat it must be used sparingly and in winter or famine only...They who wish to be well and gain the promised reward stated in the Word of Wisdom must obey all of the law, not just part of it as suits their whim or their appetite, or their notion of its meaning." (The Word of Wisdom, a Modern Interpretation, 1950)

Doctrine and Covenants 59:16-21

"...the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for rainment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (emphasis added)

Ezra Taft Benson

"There is no question that the health of the body affects the spirit, or the Lord would never have revealed the Word of Wisdom...Disease, fever and unexpected deaths are some of the consequences directly related to disobedience...To a great extent, we are physically what we eat. Most of us are acquainted with some of the prohibitions of the Word of Wisdom...but what need additional emphasis are the positive aspects - the need for vegetables, fruits, and grain, particularly wheat. We need a generation of people who eat in a healthier manner." (Ensign, September 1988, p. 5)

Ezra Taft Benson