Here’s Looking At You Kid!

I love all things Moroccan: A little Humphrey Bogart from Casablanca, mint tea in a Marrakech garden surrounded by fruit and olive trees, magical doors carved in the shape of keyholes, brightly colored scarves and baboush slippers in every color of the rainbow, tabriz rugs perfect for a magic carpet ride, and cuisine that tickles the imagination and the taste buds! Fingers crossed that one day I will take a real adventure to Morocco!

In the meantime, we can enjoy a little taste of Morocco with this healthy, yummy couscous that is supper easy and delicious!

 

I remind you that I am not a chef but a gypsy in the kitchen. So, please taste as you go! The more color you add to the dish, the better! I can make this dish in 15 minutes flat!! The Near East Couscous brand is the best kept secret. You can find it in all grocery stores and I make the whole box. It literally takes 5 minutes! You boil the water, pour in the couscous, add some salt, and fluff with a fork! I usually add a couple pats of butter or drizzle with olive oil! Then you get barefoot creative! My favorite couscous has 1/2 cup of raisins, 1/2 cup of dried apricots (Trader Joe’s), 1/2 cup of Montmorency dried cherries, 1 cup cashew nuts, a cup of roughly chopped fresh basil, a cup of roughly chopped fresh mint, a cup of grated Parmesan Reggiano, 1-2  ripe avocados, Kosher salt, ground pepper, squeeze half a lime, and then drizzle the couscous with a generous amount of honey.

Other savory couscous ideas: On a baking sheet, chop up a generous mixture of Spring vegetables in season: zucchini, squash, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, eggplant, sweet potato, red onion. Cover with olive oil, salt&pepper, and Herbes de Provence and roast on 450 for about fifteen minutes. Cook your couscous and then fold in the roasted vegetables, liquid especially, a cup of roughly chopped fresh basil, a cup of roughly chopped fresh mint! Add salt and pepper, feta cheese, and a squeeze of lemon!

Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, quickly throw together an arugula salad with just olive oil, lemon, ribbons of Parmesan cheese, sliced figs or pears, Kosher salt & Pepper, and jump on your magic carpet!

 

If you would like a Beach read that takes place in Morocco, try: The Time in Between by Maria Duenas.

 

Live in Hope,

Farrell