Israeli Couscous with Cranberries

I needed to take a dish to a pool party and didn't want to have to go to the store to buy ingredients to make something. I had all of the ingredients and made slight modifications to accommodate not having a few items. The result was a great side dish that everyone enjoyed.


Israeli Couscous with Cranberries

adapted from

3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped (or shallots finely chopped)
1 1/2 cups Israeli couscous (8 oz box from Trader Joes is perfect)
1/2 tsp of ground Cinnamon
1 3/4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Juice of one lemon
Olive oil for drizzling (if desired)
Pepper to taste

Add 3 tablespoons of oil to heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cinnamon and saute until golden. Add couscous and stir often until couscous browns lightly, about 3 minutes. Add water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add cilantro, cranberries, lemon juice. Season with a little salt to taste and drizzle with more olive oil if desired.

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast (Makes 6 Servings) adapted from Weelicious

1 1/4 Cup Milk
3 Large Eggs
2 Tsp Vanilla
2 Tbsp Honey or Agave
1/2 Loaf (4 Cups) French Bread, fresh or day old, cut into cubes
4 Oz Cream Cheese, cut into cubes (half a stick)
1/2 Cup Blueberries (Angie - I used Kroger Frozen Mixed Berries and used a little more than 1/2 cup)
Butter for greasing pan

Accompaniments: Maple syrup or honey

1. In a large bowl, whisk milk, eggs, vanilla and honey or agave.
2. Add the bread cubes and toss with the liquid mixture. Set aside for 10 minutes.
3. Add the cream cheese and blueberries and mix gently to combine.
4. Place in a buttered 8×8 inch baking dish or individual buttered 6 oz ramekins.
5. At this point you can refrigerate for up to 12 hours to bake in the morning or continue on with step 6 and 7.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
7. Cover the dish with foil that has been greased with butter or oil, greased side down. If using the 8×8 inch dish, bake for 25 minutes covered and 20-25 minutes uncovered. If using individual 6 oz. ramekins bake for 20 minutes covered and 15 minutes uncovered.
8. Top with desired accompaniments and serve.