Couscous Herb Cakes With Dried Figs Prosciutto And Cream Cheese With Chives Food

HERBY COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water, the butter and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the couscous. Return the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the saucepan and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Add the basil, chives, parsley, olive oil, dill, lemon zest and juice to a large bowl. Add the cooked couscous and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, toss to combine.

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH FIGS

Steps:

• Warm the milk with the butter, figs, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form at the rim and it just begins to approach a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover, and remove form the heat. Let the couscous stand for about five minutes. Spoon into bowls and pass additional sugar at the table, along with milk if you wish.

ROASTED FIGS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Snip the hard stems off the figs and cut the figs in half lengthwise through the stem. With a small sharp knife, cut the prosciutto lengthwise into inch-wide strips. Wrap a strip of prosciutto around the center of each fig half, with the ends overlapping. Brush with olive oil and arrange cut-side up on a sheet pan.
• Roast the figs for 10 minutes, until the prosciutto is a little crisp and the figs are warmed through. Serve warm.

COUSCOUS CAKES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, salt 1 1/4 cups water and bring to a boil. Whisk in the couscous. Turn off the heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked couscous to a bowl and mix in the nuts, parsley and egg. Season with salt and pepper. With damp hands, form the couscous into 4 patties, about 1-inch thick (about the same thickness of your first thumb joint).
• Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick pan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Carefully place the couscous cakes in the pan and cook until golden, turning once, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and serve.
• BYOC: The thing I love about making cakes is I can really throw anything in there. Sticking with the Middle Eastern theme, dates would add a nice texture to these. Plus, you can break up leftovers in a pan for an alternative to fried rice. You can throw any herb in here - basil, thyme or oregano.

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED FIGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
• Cut a small hole in the center of the flesh of each fig. Fill each hole with 1/4 teaspoon of goat cheese.
• Take a prosciutto slice and tear in half. Use 1 half to diagonally wrap around the fig, starting from the top. Tuck underneath at the ends. Repeat until all figs are wrapped. (Secure with toothpicks if necessary.) Place wrapped figs on prepared baking sheet, evenly spaced.
• In a small bowl, combine honey and pumpkin pie spice. Drizzle honey evenly over each fig.
• Place in the oven on the top rack and roast for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

COUSCOUS CHEDDAR CAKES

Steps:

• In a bowl combine couscous, salt, pepper, chives and eggs.
• Fold in cheddar cheese.
• Form couscous mixture into patties.
• Heat olive oil in a large saute pan. Place half of the couscous patties in hot pan.
• Cook 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown.
• Remove from heat and repeat with remaining patties.

HERBY COUSCOUS WITH CITRUS & POMEGRANATE DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the couscous in a shallow bowl, then pour over 200ml boiling water. Cover the bowl with cling film, then leave for 5 mins until the couscous has swelled up and absorbed all of the water. Ruffle with a fork to separate the grains, then stir through the pomegranate seeds and herbs.
• Make a dressing by mixing together the orange juice, white wine vinegar and olive oil, then stir into the couscous. Season well with salt and serve.

FIGS WITH PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Halve the figs lengthways and put them, cut side down, without oil, in a hot griddle pan (or heavy-based frying pan) for 1 minute until charred. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar and salt and black pepper to taste, and, while still warm, wrap each half in a little piece of prosciutto.
• Serve as canapés or a starter, garnished with shaved parmesan and fresh mint or rocket leaves.

FRESH FIGS STUFFED AND WRAPPED WITH PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Mix filling ingredients together.
• Slice a small incision at the base of each fig. I place an eighth of mixture in each fig.
• Gentle wrap each fig so each is nestled holding in the stuffing.