Make Something New Every Day


This blog is inspired by all those who love to cook, whether experienced or not, and who continue to experiment with new ideas & ingredients, and best of all, share their passion with others.

The first entries are recipes prepared by the students of Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy in Oakland, CA. Fifteen students with varying cooking experience participated in my weekly workshop (via Tutorpedia), and successfully prepared various meals, snacks, and baked goods as part of an after-school program.

Along with the recipes from that class, I will continue to add new seasonal items, spanning every genre of the culinary world, as well as a helpful list of links to recipes, instructional videos, and places to shop and volunteer in your area.

Feel free to ask me questions and share your recipes and ideas as well. I look forward to cooking with you.


July 24, 2015

Israeli Couscous Slaw


My friend and coworker Erin asked me to share the recipe for this salad I posted on FB last week. So here it is! 
Makes 3-4 generous servings.

The Couscous
1C toasted Israeli couscous 
1T olive oil
2C hot water

The Extras
2-3T minced preserved lemon rind (or 2t fresh lemon zest)
1/4C chopped parsley
1 scallion, thinly sliced 
1 large or 2 smaller carrots, grated
1/2 a small or 1/4 of a large red cabbage, very thinly sliced
rice vinegar 
red wine vinegar 
S&P
olive oil
1/2C toasted slivered almonds 
dried cranberries (optional)

Toast the almonds in a dry pan, and set aside. 

Heat the 1T olive oil in a pot, and stir in the couscous for 3-5 minutes. Add the hot water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. (Turn off the heat when the couscous has absorbed all the liquid but still looks like it's covered in paste. This starch will absorb into the couscous as it cools.)

Transfer the couscous to a bowl and stir in the preserved lemon (or zest). Spread out the couscous in the bowl to help it cool while you prep the rest of the ingredients. 

When the couscous has cooled to near room temperature, add the rest of the ingredients. Dress it with a few dashes of the vinegars, season with S&P to taste, and drizzle with olive oil.

Reserve the almonds and cranberries as a garnish just before serving. 

Like most pasta salads, this will keep well in the fridge for a few days, and can be prepared a day ahead. Make it on a Sunday, and you'll have lunches for Monday and Tuesday. 

Notes:
For some reason the bulk Israeli couscous from Whole Foods works better for this recipe's couscous/water ratio. If using the boxed one from Trader Joe's, follow the directions on the box.

Store bulk blanched almonds in the freezer to keep them fresh.

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