mitzireddy

This is my very first participation in a challenge which was issued by Inspiration for a savoury dish with orange and honey. This recipe is one that I had been saving (for some time) to try out – it is from Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers. I have tweaked it a bit – one of the ingredients is pea shoots (leafy bit of a pea plant) – I replaced it with mange tout peas. I have always enjoyed watching Nigel Slater’s cooking shows on the BBC food channel – he is very casual and laid back.

This recipe is minimum effort and is tasty and healthy .

Chicken salad with couscous and oranges

Serves: 2

Preparation and cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 large handfuls couscous ( I used 1 cup)
• 1 lemon, juice only
• 3 oranges, 2 juice only, 1 left whole
• couple glugs fruity olive oil (2 Tablespoon)
• 1Tablespoon honey
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• handful chicken meat from a leftover organic roast chicken
• handful chopped fresh chives
• handful fresh basil leaves, more if you fancy ( I used coriander)
• handful pea shoots ( I used mange tout peas)

Preparation method

1. Put the couscous in a bowl and pour over some boiling water (it should cover the grains by a couple of centimetres or so). Leave for about 15 minutes, until the couscous has absorbed the liquid.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey and the orange juice with the olive oil and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adding more olive oil if desired. Pour the dressing over the cooked couscous and let it soak the dressing up for about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, peel the remaining orange by cutting the ends off, placing it on a chopping board and cutting down the sides with a sharp knife to remove the skin and pith. Cut the orange into good-sized chunks. Add the orange chunks, chicken and herbs to the couscous and mix gently. Don’t over-mix; it’s about a lightness of touch.
4. Divide the pea shoots between two plates or shallow dishes and then gently top each with the chicken couscous salad.