Spinach (or Swiss Chard) with Chickpeas and Couscous
 

This is super fast, vegan, easy & cheap. It's pretty light, so either a side dish or lunch is best.

Spinach (or Swiss Chard) with Chickpeas and Couscous
adapted from Real Simple magazine



5 oz. couscous
3/4 c boiling water
1/2 c pine nuts
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
1 (15.5oz) can chickpeas, rinsed
1/2 c raisins (dark or golden)
2 or 3 big handfuls spinach, chopped
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Boil 3/4 water. Turn off heat, pour couscous in pot & cover with lid.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, over low heat, toast the pine nuts, shaking the pan frequently, until golden, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Return the skillet to medium heat. Add oil and heat for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the chickpeas, raisins, spinach, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Fluff the couscous with a fork and divide among individual plates. Top with spinach mixture and sprinkle with pine nuts.


*** The original recipe calls for 10 oz couscous, but that's way too much. So I changed the recipe to 5 oz, which is perfect. I mix it all together at the end. I toast my nuts in the toaster oven while everything else is cooking. Almonds are a good sub if you don't have pine nuts. This is SO fast!

Re: Spinach (or Swiss Chard) with Chickpeas and Couscous
 

Yum!

We don't eat wheat, but this would be great with quinoa instead of the couscous. :tu

Re: Spinach (or Swiss Chard) with Chickpeas and Couscous
 

thanks--I just thought the same thing that quinoa or brown rice would be good, too!

Re: Spinach (or Swiss Chard) with Chickpeas and Couscous
 

mmmmmm I have to try this, I think I have everything but the pine nuts in the house, so I can just do the almonds :yum thanks!

Re: Spinach (or Swiss Chard) with Chickpeas and Couscous
 

That sounds really good! I'll have to give it a try.

Re: Spinach (or Swiss Chard) with Chickpeas and Couscous
 

This is what I was thinking. :tu

Sounds yummy!