Couscous Pepper Cups Food

SWEET AND SOUR COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Pulse the carrots, celery and shallots in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high. Add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, until light golden and soft, 8 to 10 minutes. (Add a splash of water if the mixture begins to stick.) Add the ground beef and 4 teaspoons of the tomato paste and cook, breaking the mixture up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water, the parsley, raisins, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until most of the water is absorbed and the mixture gets saucy, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, toss the pepper halves with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until the peppers are pliable, 10 to 12 minutes. Carefully uncover the bowl and pour out any liquid that has accumulated.
• Stir the couscous into the beef mixture. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 3/4 cup water in the bottom of a large baking dish.
• Carefully transfer the peppers to the baking dish cut-side up and fill each pepper with the couscous mixture. Sprinkle with the cheese. Cover with foil and bake until the peppers are tender and the stuffing is hot, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature drizzled with the tomato cooking liquid.

CITRUS COUSCOUS CUPS

Steps:

• Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.
• Special equipment: 24-count nonstick mini-muffin pan; 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter
• For the pastry cups: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 24-count nonstick mini-muffin pan with vegetable oil cooking spray. Unroll the pie crusts on a lightly floured work surface. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut 12 circles of dough from each crust. Press the dough into the prepared muffin cups. Bake until light golden, 10 minutes. Cool completely before filling, 15 minutes.
• For the salad: Bring the broth, orange zest, orange juice and cumin to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan until the liquid had been absorbed and the couscous is tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Fluff the couscous and break up any lumps, using a fork. Toss together the couscous, mandarin oranges, almonds and parsley in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the dressing: Whisk together the oil, orange juice, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
• To assemble: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until coated. Spoon the mixture into the cooled pastry cups and serve.

RAINBOW BELL PEPPER COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add the garlic and shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add 2/3 cup water, the bell peppers, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, bring to a boil over high heat and cook until the peppers just begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the couscous, immediately cover and remove from the heat. Let stand, covered, until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 7 minutes.
• Transfer to a platter or large bowl and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.

PERFECT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Combine the water or broth, olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous and immediately remove from the heat. Cover and let sit 5 minutes.
• Fluff the couscous thoroughly with a fork (the more you fluff, the more separate and light the grains will be). Season with salt and pepper. If you are making the couscous ahead, spread while hot on a baking sheet lined with parchment to stop the cooking as it cools. Once cool, refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days.

COUSCOUS AND PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Quarter peppers. Slice on thin slicing blade of food processor; if you have no processor, cut in julienne strips.
• Following package directions, bring water to boil in covered pot for couscous (each manufacturer recommends a different amount of water).
• In serving bowl, combine mustard, vinegar and sugar, mixing well to dissolve sugar.
• Add couscous to boiling water. Cover and turn off heat. Allow to sit 3 to 5 minutes, until all water has been absorbed and couscous is tender.
• Meanwhile, chop scallions.
• Stir peppers and scallions into dressing, and when couscous is ready stir into salad.

PEPPERED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, saute the peppers, onion and garlic in oil until crisp-tender. Add broth; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, salt and pepper. Cover and remove from the heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Bring water(or broth) to a boil.
• Add couscous, olive oil and salt. Simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes or until tender to the bite. Drain and cool couscous.
• Combine couscous with kidney beans, peppers, onion, green onion, cilantro, parsley and hot pepper flakes.
• Whisk together honey, lime juice, olive oil and combine with couscous mixture.
• Season with additional salt and pepper. Enjoy!

COUSCOUS WITH RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a saucepan. Add the red pepper, onion, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until wilted, but do not brown.
• Add the lemon juice and water and bring to a boil. Add the couscous and blend well. Cover tightly and remove from the heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
• Add the remaining oil and parsley. Stir with a fork to blend and separate the grains. Serve immediately.

COUSCOUS WITH CORN AND RED PEPPER

Steps:

• Wash, trim, seed and chop the whole pepper; mince the garlic.
• Heat the oil in a nonstick pot; saute pepper and garlic in hot oil until pepper begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Remove from pot and set aside.
• Bring water to boil in the pot, covered. Add couscous and corn; reduce heat to simmer; cover and cook about 5 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender.
• Meanwhile, wash, dry and chop basil to make 1 tablespoon and add to cooked couscous with salt. Add pepper and garlic and mix well.

COUSCOUS PEPPER CUPS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. In a large kettle, cook peppers in boiling water for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside.
• In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, saute the onion, mushrooms, celery, apple and garlic for 4-5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine the broth, salt, cumin, pepper and turmeric if desired. Bring to a boil; stir in couscous and oil. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in the vegetable mixture, raisins, pine nuts and parsley. Spoon into peppers.
• Place in an 8-in. square baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until heated through.

COUSCOUS PEPPER CUPS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. In a large kettle, cook peppers in boiling water for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside.
• In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, saute the onion, mushrooms, celery, apple and garlic for 4-5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine the broth, salt, cumin, pepper and turmeric if desired. Bring to a boil; stir in couscous and oil. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in the vegetable mixture, raisins, pine nuts and parsley. Spoon into peppers.
• Place in an 8-in. square baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until heated through.

COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan and stir in the couscous. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Peel the onion and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Cut the ends of the stems off the mushrooms and thinly slice. Peel the carrot and cut into 1/4-inch cubes.
• Generously coat a sauté pan with cooking spray and add the onion, mushrooms, and carrot. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes, or until the mushrooms are soft. Remove from the heat, add the couscous and peas, and stir until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cut the tops off of the peppers and remove and discard the seeds. Place the peppers in a baking pan, trimming the bottoms, if necessary, to make them stand up. Fill the peppers with the couscous mixture and cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the peppers are soft. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
• At first glance mushrooms seem rather insignificant nutritionally. In fact, the only numbers on the nutrition labels that aren't zeros are 20 calories and 3 grams of carbs. But, if you dig a little further you will find that they are actually an excellent source of selenium, a mineral that works closely with vitamin E to produce antioxidants that can decrease the risk of cancer and other diseases of aging. They also contain a significant amount of potassium, which helps maintain normal heart rhythm, fluid balance, muscle, and nerve function. And all this time I just thought they tasted good.

ROASTED RED PEPPER COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place the couscous in a large bowl.
• Bring 2 cups of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Pour the water over couscous and cover with plastic wrap.
• Let sit for 10 min.
• Uncover and fluff with a fork.
• Meanwhile heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add the onion and zucchini and cook until lightly browned.(about 5 min)
• Add the zucchini and onion, along with the remaining ingredients to the couscous and mix well.
• Season with aditional salt and freshly ground pepper if desired.

COUSCOUS PEPPER CUPS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. In a large kettle, cook peppers in boiling water for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside.
• In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, saute the onion, mushrooms, celery, apple and garlic for 4-5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In a saucepan, combine the broth, salt, cumin, pepper and turmeric if desired. Bring to a boil; stir in couscous and oil. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in the vegetable mixture, raisins, pine nuts and parsley. Spoon into peppers.
• Place in an 8-in. square baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until heated through.

SPRING COUSCOUS STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Put peppers, cut side down, on the surface. Drizzle with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 4-6 minutes.
• In a large skillet heat the other tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and sauté for a few minutes. Then add beef and garlic salt and pepper. Cook beef and crumble. Drain well. Let cool a few minutes.
• Add mint, oregano, both diced tomatoes, couscous and half of the feta cheese. Gently toss together.
• In a baking dish, place peppers cut side up this time and fill with meat and cheese mixture. Top with remaining one cup of feta. Bake at 375 degrees for an additional 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
• Garnish with fresh mint or basil.

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH PEPPERS, OLIVES, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan bring water to a boil with currants or raisins, salt, and 1 tablespoon oil. Stir in couscous and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to bowl.
• In a small skillet cook garlic in 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat, stirring, until pale golden. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened. Stir onion mixture into couscous with vinegar, bell peppers, olives, capers, pine nuts, parsley, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Salad may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring salad to room temperature before serving.
• To roast peppers:
• Using a long-handled fork, char peppers over an open flame, turning, until skins are blackened, 2 to 3 minutes. (Or broil peppers on rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from heat, turning every 5 minutes, until skins are blistered and charred, 15 to 25 minutes.) Transfer peppers to a bowl and let stand, covered, until cool enough to handle. Keeping peppers whole, peel them, starting at blossom end. Cut off tops and discard seeds and ribs.

COUSCOUS WITH RAISINS AND RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• In a saucepan with a tight lid, heat the olive oil. Add the onions and red peppers, and cook and stir until wilted. Do not brown. Add the water, raisins, cinnamon, cumin, orange rind, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Remove from the heat, add the couscous and stir well. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Uncover, add the butter and fluff well with a fork. Serve with the tuna.