What do you get when you mix a box of couscous (a delicious whole grain), a red and orange bell pepper, an onion, a bag of spinach and some spices? It’s what I call dinner!
The other night, I did not plan a meal for dinner, so I looked around the kitchen to consider my options. Within minutes, I pulled together everything that was available to create a dinner that was quick, healthy and delicious. It was really easy and the best part was that it forced me to get creative and think “outside the box” or shall I say the “freezer” or even the “restaurant.” I didn’t need the last minute options of processed, frozen meals or restaurant filled-foods that are often filled with excess salt, fat, etc. Instead, all I needed was my imagination to create what appeared to be something out of nothing.
When thinking about cooking a meal in the kitchen, it’s all about finding your essential cooking tools, or what I like to call a kitchen’s best friends. Introducing my best friends:
- The steamy and hot skillet
- The reliable and healthy organic extra virgin olive oil
- The sharp-minded Chef’s knife
- The stable and loyal cutting board
- The sassy and diverse spices
With my kitchen friends, I was able to make a vegetable couscous dish that was perfect for dinner. It was really simple! I just cooked the couscous as directed on the box. Then, I chopped the peppers and onion and sautéed them in about a tablespoon of olive oil. After about 3-5 minutes, I added the spinach and cooked it until it was soft. Finally, I folded in the cooked couscous and spiced it up with some chili powder, garlic chili pepper sauce and black pepper. Bon Appétit!
Brumberry Vegetable Couscous
With spices, you can create a variety of dishes using the same main ingredients. You can make a dish spicy, sweet, pungent, etc. I encourage you to experiment with your spice rack to find the flavors that work best for you.
What are some of your favorite quick dishes? Do you like to experiment with food and spices? Share your comments and experiences below.