Olive Oil and Italian Herb Couscous

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 3

Delicious Olive Oil and Italian Herb Couscous recipe for a quick lunch or side dish

by The Chefin Side

Prep

5 min

Cook

5 min

Ready In

10 min

Level

Very easy

Rating

Ingredients

	1 box of garlic couscous
	1/2 cup diced tomato ( either fresh or canned , if you 're using canned , drain the juice first )
	0.5 can cannellini beans
	1/2 cup pine nuts
	6 -8 chives , chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
	12 basil leaves , chopped into confetti-looking pieces ( just stack the leaves on top of each other and cut across )
	1/4 cup olive oil , plus more if necessary
	appx . 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper , to taste

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

380

Sugar

Fat

22g

Olive Oil and Italian Herb Couscous is a simple yet flavorful dish that is perfect for a quick lunch or side dish. This recipe is low-fat, healthy, and nutritious. Couscous is a type of semolina pasta made from durum wheat that is popular in North African cuisine. It is considered a healthier alternative to other grains like rice and pasta. The flavors of this dish come from the Italian herbs, pine nuts, and diced tomato that add texture and acidity. This recipe is easy to customize by adding your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.

Instructions

1.	Bring 1 and 1/4 cups of water to boil, add a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
2.	Pour the garlic couscous and beans into the boiling water. Cover with a lid and turn off the heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the couscous absorbs all the water and fluffs up.
3.	In a pan toast the pine nuts on low heat until they turn golden brown.
4.	In a mixing bowl, add chopped basil leaves, chives, diced tomato, toasted pine nuts, and cooked couscous. Mix well.
5.	Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix it in properly. Serve cold or hot.

PROS

Olive oil and Italian Herb Couscous is a quick and easy meal to prepare.
It is filling and packed with flavorful herbs.

Couscous is a good source of complex carbohydrates that give you sustained energy.

CONS

Some people may not like the texture of couscous, which can be grainy and may stick together.

The dish may not have enough variety in terms of flavors and textures.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Couscous is low in fat and a good source of fiber and protein. It is rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, magnesium, and iron. Olive oil contains healthy fats that are good for the heart and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.