Yummy Couscous

Sometimes I get stuck in a rut with side dishes. This is a couscous that can be served with just about anything -- salmon, chicken, pork, or even roasted vegetables. It's quick and easy.

Yummy Couscous Recipe

3 3 / 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 1 / 2 cups couscous (try to find whole wheat couscous!)

1 1 / 2 cups golden raisins

1 1 / 2 cups pine nuts toasted*

1/4 cup roasted red and yellow bell pepper (roast your own, or buy the jarred kind)

handful of chopped fresh parsley

1 / 4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Fresh-ground black pepper and sea salt, to taste

In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and salt to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and mix in the couscous and raisins. Cover and let stand about 15 minutes or until the broth has been absorbed and the couscous is tender. Fluff the couscous with a fork and mix in the nuts and roasted bell peppers. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice. Add to the couscous and mix well. Taste for seasoning adding pepper, if desired. Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled.

*To toast pine nuts: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until lightly browned. Careful -- they burn easily!