Thursday, June 11, 2009

Curried Couscous with Grilled Chicken Breast

Curried Couscous with Grilled Chicken Breast

It's bikini season, oh yes it is! Lately I have not been eating the best foods in the world so it was a nice surprise when Ina of all ladies, came up with this bikini inspiring curried couscous. We just tossed in some grilled chicken and it made a superb dinner for three... and uh, lunch, and ummm dinner, lunch, dinner. Yes, it's the couscous that keeps on giving.

Ian and I switched out the carrots and extra onion for some blanched green beans, finely chopped red bell pepper, chick peas, and a small grilled chicken breast. Plus we figured that the oil could be cut down to half, considering it is a Barefoot Contessa recipe!

It was so delicious we are going to make this again tonight with quinoa (the trendy grain) and eat it for another week!

Thanks to Ellyn of Recipe Collector and Tester for restoring my faith in Ina.


Curried Couscous with Grilled Chicken Breast
adapted from The Barefoot Contessa
this is our version of the recipe here


1-1/2 cups couscous
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/8 cup good olive oil
3 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. curry powder
1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
1/8 tsp. cyanne pepper (optional, if you like spice)
1-1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup dried currants
1/4 cup blanched, sliced almonds
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup blanched green beans, cut to one inch
1 cup drained chickpeas


Place the couscous in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in the boiling water and pour over the couscous. Cover tightly and allow the couscous to soak for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Grill and cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces. Whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, curry, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Pour over the fluffed couscous, and mix well with a fork. Add the grilled chicken,green beans, parsley, currants, almonds, scallions, red pepper,and chickpeas, mix well, and season to taste. Serve at room temperature

13 comments:

Simones Kitchen said...

Ooo, now why o why did you have to remind me that it is bikini season?? (although looking at the rain pouring down right now, not sure it is actually here..:)) I've been eating way too much lately too. Got to get back into shape urgently!! This looks like a fabulous meal to try. Tom is going fishing for 5 days in Norway starting this saturday so that gives me the opportunity to try out lots of healthy stuff. No one there to convince me otherwise! Lol...

Thanks so much too for the well wishes on my anniversary! You're just the sweetest!!

Sabine, La Marquise des anges said...

I have friends come over this weekend for a barbecue and I will definitely make this recipe ... it arrives just in time. I already know I will love it, especially your version ...
wanna come my friends ?

ps : non no ... i won't say it ...say what ? somethin about the cookie ;) :) ;)

Suzie said...

We really liked this too. Good idea to try this with quinoa. I have never tried to cook it (quinoa that is) - I think I will follow your lead.

Penny said...

Glad you liked this. It has been one of my favorites for years. Like your blog.

karen said...

i like your changes - this is a great recipe to throw whatever you have in.

outdoorgriller said...

That dish looks great I like couscous and I think putiing vegetables in it is good idea.If you want to look at the collection of tips and recipes I have for grilling you can visit www.cookingandgrillinoutdoors.com

Shandy said...

This recipe is such a great one for the versatility and flavor! I love your version and I think trying the recipe using quinoa is a great idea.

♥peachkins♥ said...

I have never tried couscous but i bet it's pretty tasty with the ingredients that you have there..

Valérie said...

Is it bikini season? Really? Because last night's THUNDERSTORM begs to differ. :-)

I haven't made couscous in forever... Thanks for the inspiration!

Leslie said...

It's funny, but as I read your post, I'm finishing the last of my bottomless batch of couscous, served with tandoori chicken and grilled sweet potato. I like the tweaks you made, and I bet it will be great with quinoa.

Sweet as Coco said...

ugh...there will be no bikini season for me however...this still looks fabulous and I've been in couscous mode myself!

Tonya @ What's On My Plate said...

i love the idea of making this a one dish meal. could be delish with shrimp too.

Chocolate Shavings said...

That sounds delicious, and healthy at that!