Curried Couscous with Asparagus and Bleu Cheese

Bursting with myriad flavors, every bite is a surprise! No meat entree? No problem. This may be served as a side or main dish. Nice touch for a luncheon!

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 395 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• ½ cup thinly sliced green onions
• 3 ounces crumbled blue cheese
• 2 cups uncooked couscous
• ⅓ cup shredded carrots
• 2 ¾ cups water, divided
• 1 ½ cups fresh asparagus tips and pieces
• ¼ cup sunflower kernels

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly pour couscous and raisins into the boiling water while stirring. Place a cover on the saucepan, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the couscous absorbs most of the water, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2

Remove saucepan from heat and set aside until couscous absorbs remaining water, about 5 minutes more. Fluff couscous with a fork.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute asparagus, green onions, and carrots in hot oil until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Mix vinegar, sugar, curry powder, ginger, and salt together in a large bowl until the sugar is completely dissolved into the vinegar; add the couscous mixture, asparagus mixture, blue cheese, and sunflower kernels. Gently fold the mixture until the kernels are evenly distributed through the mixture.