Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Couscous with Green Peppers and Kale Salad (Serves 2)



















(Above: Couscous with Green Peppers)



(Above: Kale Salad)
These combinations come alive in the kitchen when it is time to use up the remaining vegetables from the refrigerator, and I often come up with interesting dishes.

I got the chance to do that a while ago, having a single large green pepper and a large bunch of fresh kale leaves at my disposal. I had originally bought the kale leaves to make kale ‘chips’, baking them with some olive oil and spices until they turn real crisp. Some other time maybe.

Anyway, I quickly whipped up a simple dinner with some couscous and a cooked kale salad, with some nice red wine for accompaniment.

For the Couscous dish:

1 large green pepper, unseeded and cut into long slices
4 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 clove garlic chopped fine
Store bought instant plain couscous (20oz/568g)
2 1/2 cups water
salt and pepper for seasoning
3 scallions washed and chopped fine
juice of half a lemon

For the Kale Salad:

1 bunch fresh Kale leaves chopped small
2 cloves of garlic chopped fine
1 tsp Asian red chili sauce (store bought)
1 tbsp soy sauce
4 tsp olive oil
1 tsp spicy brown mustard or regular mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 raw red onion chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
2 tsp balsamic vinegar

Bring to boil 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt and a tsp of olive oil. Add the couscous, stir for a few seconds and turn off the fire. Cover dish with a plate and set aside for 5 minutes for the couscous to finish cooking. Season with lemon juice when cooked.

In a non stick pan on medium heat, add 3 tsp of olive oil, cayenne pepper, garlic and sauté for a few seconds. Add the green pepper, salt and pepper for seasoning and roast for 5 minutes, turning the peppers around occasionally until they are nicely roasted and crunchy.

On a serving dish, make a bed of the green peppers and lay the couscous on top, garnished with the chopped scallions.

For the kale salad, on a non stick pan on medium heat, add 3 tsp of olive oil, garlic, Asian red chili sauce, soy sauce and sauté until the water drains off. Add the kale leaves and ½ tsp salt and sauté for a few minutes, mixing everything well. Add the mustard and sauté the kale leaves until they are cooked but retain their crunch.

Take off the fire, and let it cool down a bit. In a bowl, mix the cooked kale leaves with the raw red onions, balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp of olive oil and ½ tsp of salt.

Serve along with the couscous. Delicious! The kale really comes alive in this salad, with the other ingredients adding a fantastic medley of flavors.
Health Rating: High