Curried Couscous Salad

Curried Couscous Salad

(original recipe from daring gourmet)

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

·  2 cups uncooked couscous (you can also use whole wheat couscous)

·  1 large carrot, shredded

·  1 tomato, diced

·  2 green onions, finely sliced

·  ½ cup chopped fresh parsley

·  1 can beans, I used white kidney beans

·  ½ cup raisins

·  1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

·  1 clove of garlic, 1 onion, and 1 green pepper, cooked in olive oil together

·  2 cups vegetable broth

For the Dressing:

·  1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

·  1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

·  3 tablespoons honey (Vegans: use agave nectar)

·  1 1/2 tablespoon curry powder

·  1 tablespoon turmeric powder

·  1 tablespoon vegetable broth powder

·  ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1.     To prepare the couscous, bring 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth along with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil to a boil in a medium saucepan. As soon as it's boiling, add the couscous, immediately turn off the heat, cover and let sit for 15 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and put it in a very large mixing bowl. Set

2.     Add all the ingredients together in a bowl, and mix to combine

3.     To prepare the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until emulsified.

4.     Pour the dressing over the couscous salad, ⅓ at a time, stirring to combine between additions. Cover and refrigerate overnight so the flavors have time to meld. Because of the vinegar/acid content, use a glass or plastic bowl.

5.     Serve as a light lunch or as a side dish along with chicken, fish, etc.

(recipe modified to my liking)

Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spinach Spaghetti Squash

Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spinach Spaghetti Squash

(recipe from peasandcrayons.com)

Note: we made TREX version and was DELICIOUS)

Ingredients

•                1 medium spaghetti squash

•                2.5 TBSP minced garlic

•                1 tsp olive or avocado oil

•                5 oz fresh spinach, chopped

•                1/2 cup cream

•                1 TBSP cream cheese (optional but deeeelish!)

•                1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, extra for topping

•                salt and pepper to taste

•                grated or sliced mozzarella for topping, to taste

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Slice your spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. For easy cutting, feel free to stick each squash in the microwave for 5 minutes to soften it up just a tad. The knife slides through way easier this way!

Next grab a lipped baking sheet or a rimmed baking dish.

Rub the cut side of the squash with a teeny bit of olive oil.

Place inside a baking dish or atop rimmed baking sheet and roast face-down for about 40 minutes, or until tender and easily pierced with a fork. Cooking time will vary a bit depending on the size of your squash, and larger squash will need to roast a bit longer to tenderize. Once ready, the once rock-hard exterior of the squash will be visibly softened with a tender interior.

The squash can be roasted and stored in the fridge for a few days if you'd like to meal prep and plan ahead for a speedier dinner.

While the squash roasts, start on the sauce.

In a medium pot or skillet, bring a drizzle of olive oil to medium-high heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.

Next add the spinach and stir until wilted. Add your cream, cream cheese (totally optional but totally tasty) and parmesan cheese and stir well.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat.

Once squash is done roasting, allow to cool until easily handled or pop on an oven mit and use a fork to separate and fluff the strands of spaghetti squash.

Pour your sauce over each squash boat, stir to mix, and top with a little mozzarella cheese and additional parm cheese, if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees F for around 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

For a golden cheesy topping, flip your oven to broil on high for just a minute or two until lightly browned. Dig in!

T-Rex Chefs: Feel free to add chicken for a punch of protein. Stir it in with the sauce and veggie noodles or serve it up on the side. Grilled, roasted, baked, poached, rotisserie... anything goes!