Herbed Couscous with Chickpeas and Veggies

Couscous is the easiest thing in the world to make. Do you know how to boil water? Do you have 10 minutes to spend preparing food? Good, then you can make couscous. Feel free to vary this dish as you see fit - change the herbs, change the bean, change the veggies. Change the grain if you want - I picked couscous because I am lazy. This dish takes about 15 minutes start to finish and is made up of items anyone who regularly cooks vegan probably has on hand. Have it as a main course for 2 on a busy weekday night.

Herbed Couscous with Chickpeas and Veggies (serves 4 as a side dish)

1 cup water
1/2 cup couscous
Variety of herbs (fresh or dried) - try basil, parsley, and oregano
Olive oil
Canola oil
1/2 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 leaves kale
1/4 onion (any kind), chopped
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

In a large bowl, microwave the water for 2 minutes 30 seconds, or until boiling. While the water is boiling, heat a small amount of canola oil in a pan over medium heat, and chop the onion.

When the water has boiled, add the couscous. Stir to make sure it is evenly distributed in the water, and cover. Let it sit for 8-10 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed.

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Your oil should be hot about now. Add the onion, stirring occasionally. While the onion is cooking, drain and rinse the chickpeas and chop or tear the kale into small pieces. After the onion has cooked for about 7 minutes and is translucent with some crispy brown around the edges, add the chickpeas and kale and cook for a few more minutes, until the kale has wilted. Add a few shakes of garlic powder, and turn off the heat.

I originally made a smaller batch of this, hence why there is less than I describe :)

And now your couscous should be done! Add a drizzle of olive oil and whatever herbs you want in whatever amount you like. Stir to evenly coat, and fluff with a fork. Create a well in the middle of the couscous by pushing the middle portions to the sides, like so.

Fill in the well with your chickpea mixture, add salt and pepper to taste.

I brought this to a picnic in the park yesterday, at which my friend Alex inquired what I had cooked. I told her it was going on the blog tomorrow, so here ya go, Alex!