Ah, the osso bucco was delicious to the last bite. But that last bite was well before the end of the couscous and garbanzo mixture I made to go with it. And that lovely covered dish in the fridge just begged for a second chance. A new dress..........some new accessories............Well....you know what I mean. So I pulled it out, sat it on the counter and uncovered it for a while. We looked at each other, searching for a point of reference.
Perhaps it was the music I was listening to at that moment - Claudia Montes - a Spanish singer with a lyrical voice. I heard the Arabic influences in the music of Spain, and my mind wandered to that region of the world. Once there, it became obvious what my next step would be. I walked to Whole Foods and bought an eggplant, some tomato and a large yellow onion. Got home and fired up the grill. While it was heating up I peeled and sliced the eggplant, laid it out on a large dish and sprinkled some kosher salt on it. While the salt drew the juices out, I cut the onion in quarters, and sliced the tomatoes thickly. I then made an olive oil balsamic vinegar mixture and added a little ground black pepper and some more kosher salt. I patted the eggplant dry, poured the mixture over the veggies and headed out to the grill.
I find grilling veggies to be an exercise in focus. At least with my grill it is. It's an old grill and the flames aren't even -- one part gets a high flame and the rest is hit or miss. So I stand there, tongs in hand and spatula at the ready. I am constantly peering under the slices, watching them anxiously, waiting for that moment when they are toasty with those lovely grill lines across them, but not burnt. Flipping them over is a challenge, too, because I never know if they will slip through the grill and into the flame or actually land on the metal and stay there. I was lucky this time - only lost one tomato slice.
Headed in with my pile of grilled veggies. The couscous went into the micro, the cotes du rhone went into a glass, and when the grains were heated, I pulled them out, added the veggies, stirred, checked and corrected the seasonings and sat down to one of the best meals I had eaten in ages. I don't generally pat myself on the back in public, but folks, this one was a winner! Those grilled vegetables added a depth and complexity that even the osso bucco couldn't compete with. I lifted my glass and toasted the chef, and when I was done, I gave myself a standing ovation (much to my cat's disgust!)
For health news, visit Mission Valley Acupuncture
For a place to share what natural remedies work for you and which don't, visit my other blog Second Opinion
9 years ago
9 comments:
Toni--I'm still thinking of the version I made of your garbanzo/couscous dish I made last night [and the rave reviews it received all around--again, thanks for the inspiration]. I'd been thinking about trying a similar use of couscous with sautéed vegetables. Hadn't thought about grilling them--you've inspired me once again!
Terry - I consider it a compliment of the highest order to know that I inspired you. I got the idea of using couscous with garbanzos many years ago, from a friend of mine who was vegetarian at the time. He talked about needing "substantials" in a vegetarian dish, and the garbanzos served that purpose. But he also like to use "substantial" vegetables, like eggplant - or cauliflower if he was headed more in an Indian direction.
We just moved into a new place with a grill, and grilled veggies are first on my list to make. You're making me crave them even more now!
Your timing is excellent - a grill for summer. How perfect! And grilled veggies rule in summer...
Yum! Toni, This has got my name all over it! :) Love, love, love couscous!
this is sommething I'll find hard to say no to:)
Oi, achei teu blog pelo google tá bem interessante gostei desse post. Quando der dá uma passada pelo meu blog, é sobre camisetas personalizadas, mostra passo a passo como criar uma camiseta personalizada bem maneira.(If you speak English can see the version in English of the Camiseta Personalizada. Thanks for the attention, bye). Até mais.
Chris - Welcome back!! I've missed you!
Valentina - Don't say no, then. Just come on over and we'll have some. You bring the dessert!
Hi Toni! Thanks for your kind words! Kinda weird, but its sort of a nice feeling knowing that people missed you...
I have tagged you - if that's okay! Head over to my blog for details. Thanks!
Post a Comment