Left-Over Asparagus Couscous Pilaf

Yesterday's side dish is this day's glory!

Pilaf is traditionally a thin wheat noodle combined with rice.  Remember Rice-A-Roni?  This is a modern take on that idea:  pasta (whole grain Israeli couscous) combined with rice (in this case brown rice) and added vegetables and optional nuts.  Chicken or vegetable broth may be added as needed to moisten the mix.

Asparagus couscous is great for reinventing left-overs.  Using the asparagus couscous recipe in our previous blog, simply add cooked brown rice (perhaps another left-over?), toasted (or not) almond slices, sunflower seeds, and other vegetables as you like.  Cooked shredded carrots and zucchini, broccoli florets, and cauliflower florets, make this a multi-seasonal option.  Reheat gently and stir thoroughly to meld flavors.

Enjoy and experiment.   P.S.  Israeli couscous is the size of a small pellet.  Regular couscous is a much finer pasta.

- Kim Fielding

Israeli Couscous with Asparagus

What do you do with left-over asparagus stems?

When you trim asparagus for preparation, you snap it.  In other words, you bend the stem until it snaps at the point where the tender parts meet the woody parts.  Most people toss the asparagus bottoms into the compost pile but the woody parts are still usable and yummy.  They make a delicious stock if you are venturesome.  We like to slice and saute them to be added to whatever grain we are making that day.

Prep time:  5 minutes                             Cook time:  20 minutes
Serves:  6

2 tablespoons olive oil, or 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter
1 leek or shallot, chopped finely
Asparagus stems from one bunch, sliced
3 cups whole wheat Israeli couscous, cooked according to directions
Chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water as needed to moisten
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a skillet and saute the leek or shallot for about 30 seconds.  Add the asparagus stems and cook until tender.

Add the cooked couscous to the pan.  Stir thoroughly then season with salt and pepper to taste.  Moisture can be added at this point but it usually isn't needed.

An easy one-pot side dish.  Add cubed tofu to make this a meal.

That's it.  I sure love easy to prepare dishes! 

Calories and nutrition for asparagus couscous: 1/2 generous cup serving offers approximately 135 calories, 3-1/2 grams protein, and almost 2 grams fiber.  This recipe rocks with a full complement of selenium (for your eyes and metabolism) and about 10% RDA for iron.

Selenium is found in grains, nuts (Brazil nuts big time), freshwater fish, lean beef and poultry.  As a micro-element, it is only needed in small quantities for our daily functioning.

- Kim Fielding