The Nation's Health

I was going to wait until Saturday to post this recipe, but I was too excited about it, so here it is a day early - just in time to pick up produce from the farmer's market!

Time for weekly salad #2! In to the weekly salad experiment two weeks and going strong. This weeks salad was inspired by the hot weather and lovely zucchini I picked up from the farmer's market on Saturday. The dressing has a nice sweet and twang and the vegetables balance crunch with the soft couscous. The couscous is actually a mix from Trader Joe's - Harvest Grains Blend (has some quinoa and lentils mixed in as well). I opted to eat this over some kale for extra nutrition. My taste buds can handle a lot of bitter, but if you don't like strong flavored greens, romaine or spinach would work just as well.

1 1/4 c Harvest Grain Blend or Israeli Couscous
1 3/4 c water
(makes about 3 cups cooked)

1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
2 tomates (chopped, seeds removed)
2 green onions (chopped)
2 zucchini (cut in half length wise)
2 bell peppers (deseeded and cut in half)

Dressing:
3 T olive oil
4 T lemon juice
2 T balsamic vinegar
2 T maple syrup
1tsp chopped garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
(Put in small container and shake up)

Bring water and couscous to a boil and let simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is tender and done.

I cheated and didn't actually grill the zucchini and peppers, I broiled them - still got some charring though. Lay the zucchini and peppers cut side up on a foil lined baking sheet. Broil on low for 8 minutes and then turn up heat for a few more minutes or until there is some nice browning action going on. Once out of the oven or off the grill, chop these up and throw in a large bowl. Mix in other vegetables. Toss in the couscous mixture and combine all ingredients.

Lastly add the dressing - I actually didn't us all of mine. But use your best judgement on how much other added flavor you need, I like to let the vegetables shine through and be the real masterpiece.

All my pics have been in the same bowl recently... time for new dishes?