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Cheesy Couscous Bites with Tomato Dip

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Ingredients Method

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

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. Preheat oven to 200c, 400f (gas mark 6)
  3. Add olive oil to a frying pan over a medium high heat
  4. Add the onion and garlic and fry till softened
  5. Add the tomatoes and simmer until they start to break down into a sauce.
  6. Add the mixed herbs, tomato paste, splash of balsamic and stock and bring to a boil.
  7. Reduce heat, add lid and simmer for 30 mins, until sauce reduces down and thickens.
  8. Fluff up the couscous with fork, add half of the tomato sauce and mix. Stir in the the cheddar and Parmesan.
  9. 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.
  10. 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)
  11. Serve the bites with the sauce on the side. Both the bites and sauce are delicious served hot or cold.