Couscous salad with black beans, mushrooms and corn

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup Israeli couscous (you can use regular couscous or orzo pasta, too)
course salt and ground pepper
1/2 lb sliced button or cremini mushrooms
1 small bunch scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
1 1/4 cups fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears of corn)
1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 jalapeno (optional, but delicious in it) thinly sliced (I chopped it)
1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and sliced

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add couscous and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and fragrant (about 4 minutes).

Add 1 1/2 cups water, season with salt, and bring got a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender (about 15 minutes)

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tsp oil over medium-high heat. Cook mushrooms, stirring occasionally, until golden brown (about 5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper and then transfer to a large bowl.

Add 1 tsp oil to the skillet and cook the scallion whites and corn, stirring occasionally, until scallions are soft and corn is browned (about 5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper and then add to the mushrooms.

Add couscous, black beans, lime juice, jalapeno (if using), and scallion greens to the mushroom mixture and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve with avocado slices on top.

Recipe found in the "Everyday Food" Magazine

Confetti Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups 25%-less-sodium chicken broth

1 cup quinoa, uncooked

1 cup cooked fresh corn

1 each green, yellow and red pepper, chopped

1/3 cup Kraft Signature Mandarin Orange with Sesame Dressing

1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley

1/4 cup Back to Nature Sea Salt Roasted Almonds, coarsely chopped

 

How to:

 

Bring broth and quinoa to boil in saucepan on high heat; simmer on medium-low 15 min. or until liquid is absorbed. Spoon into large bowl; cool.

Add all remaining ingredients except nuts; mix lightly.

Top with nuts.

Nutrition information:

 

Calories 170 , Total fat 6, Dietary fibre 3
Makes 8 servings, 3/4 cup (175 mL) each

Recipe from What's Cooking.com

Chicken/Turkey-Patty Pockets

1 pound ground dark-meat chicken (I used ground turkey)
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced garlic (I used 1 large clove fresh garlic)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons olive oil

Pita pockets, for serving
Lettuce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, for serving
Minted yogurt sauce (optional, below), for serving

FOR THE MINTED YOGURT SAUCE

1 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves (I substituted cilantro for mint because I did not have any, it was great too!)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Coarse salt and ground pepper


Directions

1.Heat broiler, with rack in highest position. In a large bowl, combine chicken, egg whites, breadcrumbs, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and spices and mix until well blended. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Divide chicken mixture into 8 portions (about 2 1/2 to 3 ounces each) and place on sheet. Shape each into an oval patty and use your hand to flatten slightly. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over patties.

2.Broil until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, about 4 minutes more. Serve in pita pockets, with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and minted yogurt sauce if desired.

3.Make the minted yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, fresh mint leaves, and fresh lime juice. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, up to 1 hour, to allow flavors to come together.

From Everyday Food, April 2010