I think that the fact it's only today that I finally got bored of thinking about lunch (after nearly five weeks of being in the house) is fairly astounding! But then I'm mostly astonished by how I have adjusted to this - although I must admit I am bored this week - bored of only having my own company, bored of not working, bored of being stuck at home with only one trip out a day. Just a bit bored despite the many things I could be doing.
Anyway lunch. Mostly I've enjoyed lunch but perhaps it's the fact I need go food shopping soon so have fewer ingredients or just that the novelty has worn off but today as it approached lunchtime I was not enthused by the options. So I fell back on a quick and easy option - couscous.
It takes five minutes to cook and then you just stir stuff into it! Total time is less than ten minutes and it's very versatile! Take 36g couscous, add 50ml hot water, stand for five minutes and toss with whatever you feel like adding to make it more interesting - cheese/chorizo/chicken/vegetables/citrus/olives/harissa/pesto...
Today I added: a teaspoon of harissa paste, some feta (chopped into smallish cubes), some capers, a bit of yellow pepper, some cherry tomatoes that were definitely past their best, a couple of sliced radishes, some lemon juice and some ground black pepper. It was tasty.
I also like leftover roast vegetables, diced chorizo, olives, mozzarella, pesto. It's good to have mix of salt/sharp/acid/sweet flavours but you pretty much can add anything you like. And it can be made while you get ready in the morning, shoved in some Tupperware and taken to work once we're allowed back again!
Anyway lunch. Mostly I've enjoyed lunch but perhaps it's the fact I need go food shopping soon so have fewer ingredients or just that the novelty has worn off but today as it approached lunchtime I was not enthused by the options. So I fell back on a quick and easy option - couscous.
It takes five minutes to cook and then you just stir stuff into it! Total time is less than ten minutes and it's very versatile! Take 36g couscous, add 50ml hot water, stand for five minutes and toss with whatever you feel like adding to make it more interesting - cheese/chorizo/chicken/vegetables/citrus/olives/harissa/pesto...
Today I added: a teaspoon of harissa paste, some feta (chopped into smallish cubes), some capers, a bit of yellow pepper, some cherry tomatoes that were definitely past their best, a couple of sliced radishes, some lemon juice and some ground black pepper. It was tasty.
I also like leftover roast vegetables, diced chorizo, olives, mozzarella, pesto. It's good to have mix of salt/sharp/acid/sweet flavours but you pretty much can add anything you like. And it can be made while you get ready in the morning, shoved in some Tupperware and taken to work once we're allowed back again!
This is a very good solution. I tend to make mine very herby, which isn't ideal at the moment as I've not got the leaves to hand. But you remind me that other options are available.
ReplyDeleteIt's odd, isn't it, that this week is being tough on us? You'd think we would have struggled sooner. But it's not just you, or me, that's struggling now. Let's hope it's a passing phase.
Thank you for this. I tend to forget how versatile couscous is, then every so often 'rediscover it'. This is a great reminder.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite thing to mix into couscous (with or without vegetables) is lime pickle! Also very good to sprinkle sunflower or pumpkin seeds over the top for a bit of extra crunch.
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