Soon the kids will be on their summer holidays, so I am trying to come up with more recipes for on the go when we are on days out that I can pack up into a picnic. Finger foods always work best and these little bites are delicious. You could add some other veg or even some other protein into these too to mix them up a bit.
Cheesy Couscous Bites with Tomato Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup of couscous 240ml
- 1 cup of hot chicken or vegetable stock 240ml
- 60 g /2oz cheddar grated
- 30 g /1oz of parmesan grated
- melted butter for brushing
- for the sauce
- 4 large vine tomatoes peeled and chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic crushed
- 1 tbs of mixed herbs
- 1 splash of balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbs of tomato paste
- 1 cup of chicken or vegetable stock 240ml
- 1 tbs of olive oil
- black pepper
Instructions
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Add the couscous to a saucepan, cover with the 1 cup of hot chicken or vegetable stock, stir, add leave and leave for 5 mins.
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Preheat oven to 200c, 400f (gas mark 6)
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Add olive oil to a frying pan over a medium high heat
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Add the onion and garlic and fry till softened
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Add the tomatoes and simmer until they start to break down into a sauce.
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Add the mixed herbs, tomato paste, splash of balsamic and stock and bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat, add lid and simmer for 30 mins, until sauce reduces down and thickens.
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Fluff up the couscous with fork, add half of the tomato sauce and mix. Stir in the the cheddar and Parmesan.
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With hands work all the mixture together and form into 15 mini bites. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment and spray over the top with spray oil, bake in the oven for 30 mins until lightly golden.
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While the bites are cooking in the oven, add the remainder of the sauce to a blender and blend till smooth. (or you can leave it chunky for a more rustic sauce)
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Serve the bites with the sauce on the side. Both the bites and sauce are delicious served hot or cold.
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