Couscous, Zucchini, Snow Peas, Mixed Herbs and Bacon
Oh yes, dudes and dudettes- this bowl of yummy couscous really had it going on this evening at suppertime! Of course it would make a wonderful, light, Summer lunch too- or just a delicious side dish to share and enjoy at your next barbecue...
I don't think I will ever be able to impress you again by saying that any of my recipes are particularly quick or particularly easy to make... but dammit! Sometimes they ARE! This took all of 10 minutes to make- try beating that if you dare! Especially if you are are going to try to make something so healthy and with so much flavor!
Ok- time to get busy! Boiling water needs to be poured over that couscous as you know! Once that little task is out the way, we can get all of the other ingredients together, to add at the end. First of all, get a non-stick frying pan nice and hot and then add 4 rashers of lean bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces. Whilst they are beginning to brown, slice up a Spring onion and couple of mini bell peppers (yellow in this case), as well as that yummy zucchini and the sugar snap peas which I cut into fine diagonal slices... oh! And of course- they all go into the pan too! Give them 2-3 minutes to start browning and then fluff up the couscous with a fork, ready to mix it all together..
Next, use the juice of a half an orange to deglaze the pan and add the couscous, toss it gently and then set it to one side whilst you quickly prepare all of the herbs and spice.
As far as herbs were concerned- this was basically simply what I had at home - in this case parsley, mint, oregano, thyme and dill.
I stirred-in the finely chopped herbs, added a drizzle of olive oil, a little splash of green Tabasco and the juice of 1 lime. And I am sorry to say, that having done that you are almost finished... darn! And we were all having so much fun!
This was fine hot, ok lukewarm and equally delicious cold from the fridge- the choice is totally yours! I added more fresh herbs as a garnish and then decided to call it a day, settle down and enjoy my supper- which had also helped me clear out my fridge! So you see- this recipe is more than just tasty- it has got smarts to go with it!
Hello Love Marmite- I would just make it completely without and then, if you like salmon, add that at the end... the idea of the bacon is to add saltiness and a little contrast of flavor as well as a crunch into the recipe and I don't think salmon will have the same effect. But obviously, you can make the whole thing absolutely meat-free and just season it a little more. Couscous is a great, neutral ingredient that goes with almost everything, so for sure it will go with salmon- I would just prepare it separately to avoid it falling apart during all of the cooking and stirring involved.
ReplyDeleteFrancesco :-)