Couscous Broccoli Bowl

Hello bloggers!

As you all know I really enjoy couscous.  I have been stealing the Vegetarian magazine from my mom and in it I found this great dish.  I was so excited to try it and it turned out beautifully!

What You Need:

Sauce:

1 1/2 Tbs. Olive Oil

1 Tbs. Tomato paste

1 Small Onion, Finely Chopped

1 Pinch Salt

2 Jarred Roasted Red Peppers, Chopped

1 Clove Garlic, Minced

1/2 tsp. Smoked Paprika

1/2 Cup Loosely Packed Parsley Leaves

1/4 Cup Blanched Almonds

1/2 Tbs. Balsamic Vinegar

Couscous and Broccoli:

1 1/2 Cups Whole-wheat Israeli Couscous

1 lb. Broccoli, Chopped

1 Tbs. Olive Oil

1 Tbs. Lemon Juice

Lets Cook:

To make the sauce: heat oil in sauce pan over medium heat-high heat. Add tomato paste, and sauté 30 seconds.  Add onion and salt, and sauté 10 min.  Add red peppers, garlic, and paprika; cook 5 min.  Transfer to food processor, and puree with parsley, almonds, and vinegar.  To make broccoli bowl: cook couscous according to package directions.  Steam broccoli 5 min or until tender. Toss with oil and lemon juice in bowl.  Divide couscous among bowls. Top with broccoli and then add 3 Tbs. sauce.

I followed the recipe pretty closely.  I forgot to get almonds but the sauce seemed fine to me with out it. I also forgot to toss the broccoli with the lemon juice and oil.  I wish I had done that because it probably would have helped balance the sauce with the broccoli.  Overall I loved the sauce!  When initially preparing it spilled some balsamic vinegar into the food processor.  That ended up making the sauce way too sour.  I added some extra spices and garlic.  After that it ended up tasting so good!  Overall I loved the recipe and  plan to make it again.  It was simple and light.  The sauce and broccoli worked so well together.  With that combo and the fluffy couscous the meal was great!