Tomato Basil Couscous with Lentils, Black Beans and Jerk Chicken

If you’re looking for something that is packed with favor and quick to make, look no further!

Couscous goes with just about any main course, especially chicken. You will find couscous more often in North African cuisine. Most couscous sold in grocery stores has already been pre-steamed, so preparation is very simple!

Couscous has a cooking time of 2 minutes and can be made with water straight from a kettle. If you have the time marinate your chicken over night do so, it will add that extra flavour, just be careful of how much seasoning you use because it can get spicy quick!

tomato Couscous with lentils, black beans and jerk chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1 c tomato basil couscous
• 2 c chicken stock
• 1 can lentils
• 1 can black beans (rinsed)
• 1 tsp jerk seasoning
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (to taste)

Method:

Pre heat your over to 350°. Place your seasoned chicken on an oven safe baking sheet. ( If your haven’t seasoned your chicken over night, lightly rub your chicken with jerk seasoning). For faster clean up I like to use parchment paper, bake for approximately 30 minutes.

Jerk Chicken

While your chicken is baking, take your can of black beans and lentils, pour into a colander and rinse under cold water.

Rinse your lentils and beans.

Once rinsed, set aside and measure out 1 cup of couscous.

Tomato Basil Couscous

Bring 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil and pour in your couscous, beans and lentils.

Tomato Basil Couscous

Turn off the heat and cover allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes allowing all the broth to be absorbed. Once absorbed use a fork and lightly “fluff” the couscous.

Tomato Basil Couscous

Once your chicken has cooked, remove from the over allow to cool for approximately 5 minutes.

Spicy Jerk Chicken

Grab your plate create a bed of couscous and top with your spick jerk chicken!

I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did!

Tomato Couscous with lentils, black beans and jerk chicken.

Enjoy!

Roasted Broccoli Soup, I’ll save you a bowl

As the days get colder, we need some healthy options to keep us warm! This low-fat broccoli soup makes a delicious and satisfying lunch or dinner. It’s quick and you don’t have to be a vegetable lover to enjoy it.

Roasted Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp celery seed
• 4 cups fresh broccoli (including chopped stems)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups non fat milk
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• salt (to taste)

Method:

Chop your onion and garlic into a large pot with 2 tsp of olive oil, celery seed, salt, and pepper to carmalize. Cook over low heat for approximately 20 minutes.

Roasted Broccoli Soup

While your onions and garlic are carmelizing, pre heat your over to 450°. Place your chopped broccoli on a non stick baking pan, or for less mess cover the baking sheet with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for approximately 20 minutes.

Roasted Broccoli Soup

Once your onions and garlic have carmelized, they should be translucent in color and have an incredible sweet taste. Carefull not to burn your onions, you can’t get rid of the “burn” taste.

Roasted Broccoli Soup

Take your roasted broccoli from the oven, it should be lightly roasted. Again carefull not to burn your broccoli.

Roasted Broccoli Soup

Place your roasted broccoli into your soup pot, add broth and milk, begin blending with your hand mixer.

Roasted Broccoli Soup

Blend until you have a smooth consistency.

Roasted Broccoli Soup

Serve hot, or chilled with a dollop of sour cream!

Roasted Broccoli Soup

Enjoy!

Spicy Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge

Over the holidays I had been visiting family and my mother shared with me two fantastic fudge recipes. The first a Spicy Milk Chocolate Fudge and the other a Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge. Both recipes are quick and can be made in the microwave I thought I would have to share these with viewers on FoodzTo!

Spicy Milk Chocolate and Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

Spicy Milk Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 Tbsp Coco Powder
• 1/4 cup Butter
• 1can 14oz Sweetened condensed milk
• 1 Tsp Chili flakes

Method:

Place chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter or margarine in large microwaveable bowl.

Spicy Milk Chocolate Fudge

Zap in microwave on medium until chips are melted,about 3-5 minute, stirring once or twice during cooking. Stir in Chili flakes.

Spicy Milk Chocolate Fudge

Pour into well-greased 8×8-inch glass baking dish, or what I prefer, cover your dish with parchment paper this method makes your fudge less greasy!

Spicy Milk Chocolate Fudge

Allow to cool for approximately 45-60 minutes, remove from parchment paper and cut into desired size pieces.

Spicy Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge

Fudge Ingredients

• 3 3/4 Cups icing sugar
• 1 Cup butter
• 1 Cup peanut butter
• 1 Tsp vanilla

Chocolate Drizzle

• 1/2 C Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
• 1 Tsp Butter

Method:

Combine butter and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and cook own high for 2 min stir and place back in microwave for 2 minutes

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

Slowly stir in icing sugar until mixture is hard to mix and looses its sheen.

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

One the mixture has thickened it should resemble the image below.

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

Place in 8×8 dish, smooth fudge evenly through our the pan and cover with parchment paper too cool for approximately 45-60 minutes

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

While your fudge is cooling, pour 1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter into a microwaveable dish, cook on medium for approximately 2 minutes, be sure to stir the mixture so the chocolate doesn’t stick and burn. Once melted pour mixture into a ziplock baggie, cut the tip and pipe the chocolate over the top of your fudge in even lines.

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

To create a more blended effect, dip a knife into hot water and drag it through the chocolate lines, this will help blend the chocolate throughout the fudge .

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

I hope you enjoy both recipes!