Balsamic Vegetable Couscous

Couscous is the perfect thing to make when you're pressed for time. It generally cooks in about five minutes, and then can be jazzed up with seemingly endless flavor combinations for a healthy side dish. This balsamic, caramelized onion, and asparagus version has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I love how the sweetness of the onions and vinegar pair with the earthy asparagus. It makes for a great combination of textures, too. We had it as a side dish to a plain old store-bought rotisserie chicken and kept the leftovers in the fridge for snacking.


Balsamic Vegetable Couscous:

• Cook 1 box of couscous according to package.* 
• Meanwhile, saute 1 bunch of chopped asparagus and 1 chopped onion in a medium-size skillet until onions are caramelized and asparagus are tender, about 6-10 minutes.
• Combine vegetable mixture with couscous and add 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar and 2 tbsp. olive oil. 
• Season the couscous with salt and pepper and serve.

Serves four (side dish)
*I like Near East brand.