Recipe#004: Couscous Pilaf Salad or 'Couhouchie!!'

A backyard party isn't complete without Joan's cold salads. This healthy side dish needs a bit of prep time but is well worth it for the complements that come later. If your children screw up their noses at it and ask what it is, just say what Joan says, "It's Couhouchie!"

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion diced fine
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon curry powder
2 cups cooked peas
1/4 cup raisins
2 tablespoons chicken stock
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 cup red pepper diced fine
1 cup couscous
1 1/3 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
a pinch of cinnamon

Instructions:

In a non-stick skillet cook dry couscous over medium heat till lightly browned [no need for par-boiling etc]
Stir frequently
Add the first 2 tablespoons of hot chicken stock to the pan and let stand off the heat for 5 minutes
Pour mixture into a bowl and fluff mixture with a fork while adding remainder of chicken stock
Heat oil in pan on medium heat
Cook onion till tender
Stir in vinegar, curry powder, sugar, salt and cinnamon
Add couscous with peas, sweet peppers and raisins
Toss gently

Serve either hot or cold
Will keep fresh in refrigerator for 1 day


That's Piaf, not Pilaf!