Couscous

This is a flavorful couscous.  I like the large “pearl couscous,” which seems difficult to find.  Fortunately, the Ziyad brand Maftoul couscous (see image of package below) is available at the Oakton Market in Skokie.  (Ignore the instruction on the package.)  I serve this with the Moroccan Style Chicken Tights, accompanied by lightly sautéed zucchini slices. 

جيد جدا  (which translates to “muy bien”)

1 cup couscous
Water (1-1/2 cups)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced (2 onions dices, if caramelized)
one (Knorr’s) vegetable bullion
¼ teaspoon (or more) of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 tablespoons butter
1 carrot, finely diced

Lightly brown couscous in 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet.  Add the remaining ingredients, except the carrots.  Cover and cook over low heat until couscous is tender, but with a slightly firm center, turning occasionally.  Add additional water if necessary.  Add the carrots shortly before the couscous is fully cooked.   Next, remove cover, increase heat to medium and sauté over moderately high heat until slightly browned, stirring often.

Note:  This recipe works perfectly well following the instruction above, however, I urge you to first caramelize two onions as follows:  Dice the onions.  Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a 10 or 12-inch skillet, add the onions, add 2-3 tablespoons of water, and raise the heat to medium.  Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the onions are thoroughly limp and caramelizing.  Remove the cover and continue to cook, turning occasionally, until all liquid is evaporated and the onions are nicely caramelized.  Add these to the couscous for an even better dish.

 

Olive Oil Cake

 

8 to 10 servings. 

This coffee cake is very easy to make and lasts several days.  It’s terrific for breakfast, with some fruit. 

1-1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
2 large eggs
¾ cup whole milk (1% works fine too)
½ cup olive oil (mild flavor)
2 -3 teaspoons finely grated orange peel (I used 1 Mandarin orange)

Preheat oven to 325 deg. F.  Oil and flour a 9x5x3 inch metal loaf pan (i.e. bread pan).

Whisk together the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.  In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, olive oil and orange peel.  Gradually add egg mixture to dry ingredients, whisking continuously.  Whisk until well blended.  Pour into the loaf pan.

Bake cake 60 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Remove pan from oven and cool a rack for 20 minutes.  Use a cake knife or other tool to loosen cake edges from pan.  Invert pan to remove cake.  Place top side down on a serving dish and allow to cool completely.

Classic Potato Salad

Gluten free – serves 8

It’s takes a little bit of advance planning and work, but home made potato salad is so far superior to store-bought.  I encourage you to make this.  It keeps well for days, covered with plastic wrap.  (Potato salad accompanies ribs in the photo above).  First prepared 8-1-09 for a dinner with Catherine Severson and Chris Hurn.

8 medium red potatoes (~2.5” diameter), peeled, boiled, cooled (room temp) and diced
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (real mayo; not Miracle Whip)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 cup diced red onion
5 hard-boiled eggs, sliced and halved
Paprika

Place diced potatoes in large bowl.  Mix next 7 ingredients in another bowl, add to the potatoes, and mix.  Add celery and onions and mix well.  Stir in the eggs.  Sprinkle with paprika.

Tip:  Boil the potatoes in moderately hot water; not a violent boil, or the potatoes will crack open.  Once the potatoes are done (fork tender), pour out the hot water and replace with cold and two or three large handfuls of ice cubes.  This will cool the potatoes quickly.

Variations:  Although I have not tried any variations, yet, I have had potato salads with chopped gerkins, diced red peppers, crumbled bacon, capers, green beans (cooked), diced ham, chopped green onions, etc.  Experiment . . . that’s the joy of cooking!