Marinated Couscous with Pan-Roasted Tomatoes

Couscous not interesting enough for you? It will be after trying this recipe. Richly seasoned and served with intensely flavored pan-roasted tomatoes, the couscous serves as the mild-mannered backdrop for the rest of the drama. With lycopene rendered even more digestible by the olive oil, this is a reproductive health dream!

Makes 4-5 servings

Ingredient List:

• 2 cups spring or filtered water
• sea salt
• 1 cup couscous
• 4-6 sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained, diced
• ½ cup oil-cured black olives, pitted, diced
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• 3-4 sprigs fresh basil, leaves removed, finely shredded
• extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons chili paste
• 10-12 cherry tomatoes, split lengthwise, do not peel or seed
• 1 bunch arugula

Step By Step Instructions:

Bring water to a boil, with a pinch of salt. Stir in couscous, cover, turn off heat and set aside for 5-7 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers and basil. Set aside, loosely covered.

Place a small amount of oil in a skillet. Stir in chili paste, spread mixture over the pan bottom and turn heat to medium. Arrange cherry tomatoes, cut-side down in the skillet and sprinkle with salt. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until the skin wrinkles and the cut-side of the tomatoes are lightly browned, 3-4 minutes.

To serve, arrange arugula on a platter, spoon couscous in the center and arrange tomatoes on top. Drizzle with a fruity olive oil and serve.