Easy Flavoursome Couscous

Couscous is one of the easiest side dishes to make and so many consider it bland and boring - and I agree if you don't add different and flavourful ingredients to it.

Take this recipe as your basic and add whatever delicious food you have available to it.


You will need:-

1 tsp coconut oil (any oil will do)
1 cup couscous
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 bell pepper (chopped into cubes)
1 red onion (chopped finely)
1/2 cup raisins/ sultanas
2 strips of celery (cubed)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground flax*
1 tsp wheatmeal*
1/4 cup flaked almonds


*Optional - As always, I throw this into most of my recipes


Heat oil in a medium to large pan and add the onion, peppers and celery. When these start to soften, add the garlic, herbs and the chicken stock.

Once the liquid starts to bubble, add the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Stir again and you will see the couscous already taking on all the moisture. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, stir in the almonds and the raisins and serve.

Simple and yet tasty.

Variations on this are so easy - any nut or fruit, coconut(added with the stock), beans, chick peas, vegetables, thie possibilities are endless. Try whatever you like.

Pork & Tomato Casserole

This dish is so easy, it's an extension to a tomato dip that I make, and it is delicious.

You will need:-
For the sauce :

1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can artichoke hearts, sieved and chopped
2 slivers of anchovy, cut these down to 1/4 inch strips
1 clove of chopped garlic (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp grated parmesan

For the chops :

4 pork loin chops
1 bell pepper, cut into small cubes
2 sticks celery, cut into small cubes
2 green onions
olive oil to fry

Set the oven to 375 degrees.

Take all the sauce ingredients and mix them into your casserole dish.
Heat the olive oil until it starts to sizzle, add the pork chops and brown on both sides, add to the casserole dish.
Take the same pan and fry off the onions, peppers and celery until soft and slightly brown. Add to the casserole dish.

Stir all the ingredients and put on the casserole lid. Place in the oven for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.

Serve this with focaccia and couscous. Yum!