Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts ~ Plus Give Away! October 2010 ~ Winner Chosen!

Any Barefoot Contessa fans here?

Ina Garten's (The Barefoot Contessa)  new cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa ~ How Easy is That?" is due to be released one week from today (on Tuesday October 26th).  

I'm looking forward to receiving my copy from amazon.com and I would love to give one lucky entrant a chance to win a  copy, delivered to the winner directly from amazon.com


If you click here to go to amazon and scroll down, you can find a sample of two recipes (perfect for Fall) from the book:
 "Herb Roasted Turkey Breast" and "Easy Cranberry & Apple Cake".  And if you visit the Barefoot Contessa website you can find a few more preview recipes from the book.

This is one of them ~ Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts:

I think almost everyone is familiar with couscous, but if not ~ it is a very fine, tiny dried pasta (not a grain) which is ready in minutes.  Here's what it looks like before adding boiling water or stock:

This is quite similar to the Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts recipe which I have made for a long time, and it is soo easy.  Just saute some chopped onion in oil or butter over medium heat until the onion is tender and translucent but not browned.
Add stock, or water and salt to the cooked onions, bring to a boil, stir in the couscous. Immediately remove from heat and cover the pan. 

Allow to sit, off heat, for 5 to 10 minutes until stock is absorbed and couscous is tender. Fluff with a fork and stir in some toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh parsley; serve hot.

I usually add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to my couscous after cooking, and just because it is still basil season here,  I added some chopped fresh basil to the parsley this time, and sprinkled with a few shards of fresh Parmesan Reggiano cheese.

Very good and so easy to prepare.  It's great with grill or roasted meats, fish or chicken.



Details for the Give Away....


1.) The drawing is open to all of "Once Upon a Plate" Google friends followers (see side bar) world wide. Please join now if you're not a follower. :)

2.) To double your chances, be a follower on my facebook page. (See right column, first entry)


3.) State your status (follower, face book follower, or both in your comment)



Entries will be accepted until 9PM Pacific Time,  October 31st, 2010

Winner will be announced November 1st.

Good luck to all who enter!!

* * * * * *


If you would like a printable copy of the Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts recipe, you can find it on my recipe blog by clicking HERE. 

Thank you for stopping by! xo ~m.

P.S.  . . .




Not feeling so LUCKY?

You can learn more about the book, or pre-order it by clicking the image below. 

                                                                 

Comments Closed ~ Winner Chosen.  Thank you for participating everyone!