Spicy chicken and spinach couscous

4 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
Water
1Bay leaf
6Black peppercorns
4Skinless boneless chicken breast halves
cupBoiling water
cupInstant couscous
6cupsFresh spinach
2cupsChicken broth
2teaspoonsTurmeric
4tablespoonsWhite wine
1teaspoonIndonesian chili paste or sauce OR dried red pepper flakes
1teaspoonChopped parsley
1teaspoonChopped sage
1teaspoonChopped thyme
8Artichoke hearts; water-packed
2mediumsTomatoes
¼cupGrated Parmesan cheese

Directions

ADVANCE PREP -- CHICKEN: Fill a large skillet with water and add bay leaf and peppercorns; bring to a boil and add chicken breasts. Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Cool, drain and place in a resealable plastic bag.

COUSCOUS: In medium saucepan, bring 1½ cups water to a boil; turn off heat, stir in couscous and cover. After about 5 minutes, when the water is absorbed and the couscous is fluffy (use a fork to fluff), spill it out onto a cookie sheet to cool. Transfer cooled couscous to an airtight container.

SPINACH: Wash spinach thoroughly and, with water still clinging to its leaves, place in a large pot and cover. Cook over medium-low heat until the spinach wilts. Drain, cool and place in a resealable plastic bag.

SAUCE: In another medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth, turmeric, white wine and chili paste or flakes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Cool and transfer to an airtight container. Chop herbs and place in a resealable bag. Refrigerate all of the above ingredients until needed.

PREP: Cut chicken into one-inch pieces, slice artichoke hearts and dice tomatoes. Place couscous and sliced artichoke hearts in a large saucepan.

Heat briefly over medium-low heat, then add chicken, spinach, tomatoes and broth. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes more, or until heated through, stirring constantly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and herbs. Divide among 4 bowls and serve.

Per serving: 510 calories, 11 percent fat (6⅕ grams), 53 percent carbohydrate, 36 percent protein.

See: Consultant: Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., R.D., a high-performance nutritionist and author of The Be Healthier, Feel Stronger Vegetarian Cookbook (Macmillan, 1997).

>edited for eat-lf cookbooks by kitpath 98Feb Notes: See also MENU Hi-Carb: Overnight in the Mountains. Includes Make-ahead instructions. With a little advance prep, this satisfying dish can be a quick lunch or dinner. Just heat, stir and serve.

Recipe by: SHAPE Cooks 1998

Posted to EAT-LF Digest by KitPATh <phannema@...> on Feb 17, 1998