Colorful Couscous

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In almost every quote I’ve ever encountered about the feeling of pain, the word ‘love’ has been embedded somewhere in the prose. It may be a noble and mature interpretation of pain or a bitter notion of pain, but fundamentally connected to pain seems to be love. Despite the inextricable connection between love and pain, when someone you love is feeling it, a deep pain, a pain that you can do nothing about, all you want to do is take it away. You do not want to teach them lessons, or hop up on your soap box declaring that ‘life is beautiful.’ You just want to erase their pain, transport their pain from the present to the past, or better yet, to non-existence all together, to a non-existence that does not even threaten their memories.

As one of my longest and dearest friends goes through a situation that is saturated with pain, all I want to do is take it away. Like a superhero. But I can’t. All I can do is remind her–publicly–that I love her, that her pain is valid and that I will do whatever I can to support her. All I can do is remind her of those instances of love and joy as vast as the Sahara and as tiny as a couscous grain…

Colorful Couscous (Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

1 shallot–chopped

1/2 cup white mushrooms–sliced

1/2 cup carrots–sliced

3 cloves garlic–minced

6 artichoke hearts (packed in water)–cut into quarters

1/2 cup sundried tomatos–roughly chopped

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 cup vegetable broth

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 cup whole wheat couscous

olive oil

salt/pepper

olive oil

large bunch of parsley–chopped

juice from 1/2 orange

goat cheese crumbles (Optional)

Method:

*Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add shallot, mushrooms, and carrots. Cook 5 minutes; add garlic. Cook until veggies are al dente. Add a few grinds of black pepper, a pinch of salt, cayenne, artichoke hearts, and sundried tomatoes. Combine. Set veggies aside.

 

*In the same sauce pan, add broth, coconut milk, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat until just boiling. Add couscous. Remove from heat, stir to combine, cover, set aside for at least 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.

*Combine couscous and veggies. Drizzle with olive oil and freshly squeezed orange juice, adjust seasoning as needed, mix in parsley. If you are keeping it vegan, serve as is. For a cheesy, vegetarian option, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of soft goat cheese crumbles.

Oh! And just a couple of other news nuggets before I go ‘bye, bye…’

1. My fellow food blogger Lisa has launched a super cool cookbook entitled “Foodies for Farmers.” All of the proceeds benefit Farm Aid. Definitely check out her site! Not just because Como Water has two recipes in the book, but also because the cookbook is for a great cause (and would make a great gift!).

2. I want to thank Manu at Manu’s Menu for the Lovely Blog Award she passed on to me! Manu’s blog features some of the most delectable Italian food I’ve ever seen in my life! (No exaggeration!).

3. And last, but not least, two not so selfless plugs: a) Como Water is finally on Twitter (Twitter ID: Como_Water) and b) Check out my latest review on carpedurham.com!

Written by

Tiffany M. Griffin is the woman behind Como Water, Washington DC’s premiere veg-centric cuisine consulting company. Through cooking classes, demonstrations, catering, and consultations, Como Water gives people the opportunity to learn how to prepare veg-centric cuisine that boasts maximum flavor, with minimal effort. Tiffany is quickly becoming a go-to expert on the future of veg-centric cuisine, and is a regular contributor to Como Water, the blog, as well as to vegetarian and vegan sites across the Internet. For over a decade, this self-taught, entrepreneurial expert has developed a set of tried and true techniques for making simple, delicious, and sometimes decadent veg-centric dishes. Featured on the Steve Harvey Show and other leading media outlets, Tiffany was born and raised in Springfield, MA. She then earned Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Communications from Boston College and a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Michigan. She now resides in Washington DC, where she has worked in the US Senate and at a federal agency on issues around health, food, nutrition, and international food aid/development, and of course, as the owner of Como Water. Tiffany gets culinary inspiration from the food she grew up eating, and from her travels throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Western Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She is dedicated to sharing her wealth of knowledge on veg-centric cuisine with others and to help others live by her mantra—love life, live long, and eat veg-centric cuisine!

Comments

  1. Thanks for the shout out, and for your donation for the book.

    This couscous looks delicious – I love that it’s made with coconut milk. I’m adding couscous to my grocery list right now. 🙂

    • Woo hoo! I hope folks buy the book… it’s AWESOME!

  2. I have no doubts this will help your friend.
    Happy Primavera aunque falte un poquito.;-)
    Thanks

  3. Ummm this looks really colorful and sounds flavorful. Sounds so fresh and healthy, too 🙂

  4. What a wonderful writing..I enjoyed it very much, and it was so right!
    Your colorful couscous looks divine!

  5. Gorgeous meal. Tasty and healthy. Thanks for sharing.

  6. I feel like I am an honorary vegan/vegetarian lately – the last 3 days have been vegetarian days and last night was a total vegan meal…I am not swearing off meats but I do take breaks now and again and since I am on one now this couscous is a perfect idea for tonight.

    • Yah Christo! This is great!

  7. Oh my it looks wonderful! Nice to see all those vibrant colors in the cold of winter time!

  8. wow.. it is worthed to try.. looks healthy and Yummy!

  9. I love that you added cayenne and orange! Can’t wait to try it out. So pretty, too!

  10. What a great mix of flavors!

  11. I don’t eat enough cous-cous. This recipe with artichokes and goats cheese might just change my mind…

  12. Couscous looks unbelievably delicious!Never had with coconut milk, definitely must try!

  13. This looks so delicious! I love all of the different veggies and the addition of the goat cheese!

  14. A big hug to your friend Tiffany!
    This couscous looks so fresh and light. I love “spring” dishes, even though autumn has just begun for us (or maybe that’s the reason why I love them so much)!!!

    • Thanks Manu! Did you see the shout out I gave you in the post above??? “The most delectable Italian food I’ve ever seen!” 😀

  15. This couscous looks so good with all of the veggies and the goat cheese. A lovely post for your friend. I’m sure that she would like this couscous.

  16. You are a wonderful friend!!!

    Your couscous sounds fabulous…full of delightful ingredients~

  17. Sorry about your friend – you’re a very good friend. This couscous looks wonderful! Did you say…Beyu????? One of my FAVORITES!!

    • Are you in Dham!?!??!?! We have to have a foodie convention here! 😀

  18. looks yummy
    lovely pictures

  19. We love couscous in our house and now I have another version to try. I love the artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes. Thanks for the recipe!

  20. This looks awesome! I love couscous! It’s so versatile. Love your flavors here!

  21. The couscous looks very pretty with added vegetables and very delicious as well.

  22. Love you tons Tiff, feel truly blessed for our friendship. Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    • I. LOVE. YOU!

  23. what a nice post to your friend, we can all identify with both sides. hopefully the colorful couscous will cheer her up!

  24. Oh Tiffany – you really inspire me to make and try new things I’ve never made before. I don’t think I’ve never made couscous at home. And it actually sounds fairly easy and this recipe looks and sounds so good!! I like the addition of the coconut milk in there too..

  25. can never go wrong with couscous – it always brings a smile to my face!

  26. I totally believe in using food as pain relief!! If it makes you smile it may well take the pain away for a few minutes at least. Positive thoughts coming your way to pass on to your friend in need….

  27. Looks delicious! What a creative idea to add coconut milk to couscous!

  28. I hope your friend is okay! I’m sure she appreciates your support. Thanks for sharing this vibrant couscous recipe.

  29. Your couscous sounds delicious with all of the vegetable goodness! Like the use of coconut milk in this recipe. I bet it added another great flavor dimension :o)

  30. Soooo pretty!!!

  31. That looks incredible! This looks like something I personally would sit and eat for lunch, though it’d also be a great side dish! Thanks for sharing!

  32. What a great idea for couscous! It looks beautiful and delicious!

  33. This dish looks so colorful and tasty! Never thought of using coconut milk with couscous.

  34. Such true words…my heart is breaking for your friend. I know that you are a comfort to her…this is why we are in relationship with one another…to provide support during these hard times. Thank you so much for sharing this couscous with me tonight. I hope you have a weekend full of love, laughter and great food!

    • Thanks Monet!

  35. Wow, your post gave me goosebumps… you’re a beautiful person inside and out, and such a great friend…thank you for sharing!

  36. I love couscous. And this looks so yummy and flavorful!

  37. Wow! You are all so amazing! Thank you so much for your kind words and support for my friend. I truly believe that we are all interconnected and that my actions, right here, right now, can affect lives all across the globe. Your kindness and positive energy is, no doubt, touching my friend’s life, and I truly appreciate it! I heart my foodie friends!!!! 😀

  38. That’s officially the best looking couscous I’ve ever seen. I love couscous and can’t wait to try this one. 🙂