We just got back from visiting Eric’s parents in Montana. People keep asking us if we had fun and what we did. The answer is yes, and I don’t know. Hung out. Chatted on the porch swing. Drank too many root beer floats. Sometimes the best vacations are the ones where nothing happens.

IMG_4039
My dad does not subscribe to this philosophy in any way. Vacations in my family were relaxing in the way that marathons are relaxing. Not that I’m complaining; my parents love to travel and they took us all over the place. I’d visited 35 states by the time I was 17. (Even though sometimes it was just because we changed which highway we took on our way somewhere else so that we could spend 3 miles passing through the outskirts of West Virginia…but hey, we were there, cross it off!)

IMG_4018We would get up at the crack of dawn, shovel in some breakfast, walk until we wanted to die, skip lunch, walk some more, and collapse in our beds at night. It was so fun. When my dad goes on vacation, he wants to see it all, experience everything there is to experience, and do it all the way the locals do. I think his worst fear is looking like a tourist. Which is pretty funny because he is a fantastic photographer and drags his huge camera everywhere, taking a billion pictures. It’s kind of a giveaway. (Okay, not a billion, but I think he got back from Thailand a few years ago with something like 5,000 photos.)

IMG_4038He doesn’t mess around on the prep work either. When they visited Germany, my dad spent 6 months listening to learn-German CDs on his commute. He got so good that when they were actually there, he would stop locals on the street and ask for directions in German. His questions were pronounced so perfectly that they assumed he was fluent and would respond rapid fire, pointing in the direction they were supposed to walk. Then when he got to the next block he would ask someone else and the same thing would happen. He got around not because he knew German (despite his best efforts) but because people pointed when they talked.

They are in Slovakia right now, or Hungary, or somewhere around there. I’m super jealous. But until Eric and I can afford plane tickets to Timbuktu or Hong Kong or Moscow, I’ll take chatting on the porch swing any day.

IMG_4043Here’s another winner from Allrecipes.com. When 792 people say it’s a good recipe, it’s a good recipe. I could eat this stuff with a shovel. It’s a great way to use up leftover couscous from another meal. You could dress this up into a main dish if you add some chicken. Avocado would also be a great addition…isn’t it always?

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Black Bean & Couscous Salad

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 30 minutes
Cooling Time: 5 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Black Bean & Couscous Salad is a perfect side salad for any occasion!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked couscous
  • 1 & 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 8 green onions, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring chicken broth to a boil in a sauce pan and stir in the couscous. Cover the pot and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, vinegar and cumin. Add green onions, red pepper, cilantro, corn and beans and toss to coat.
  • Fluff the couscous with a fork, breaking up any chunks. Add to the bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

You don't need to cook the couscous in chicken broth. You can use the same amount if water, just make sure to add a teaspoon of salt and a couple teaspoons of butter or olive oil.
Source: Allrecipes.com

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 624IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 160
Keyword: black bean, cobb salad recipe, couscous
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

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Comments

  1. I made this with Israeli couscous — also known as pearled couscous which is bigger than the tiny small grain couscous — LOVED IT!

    1. Ooh I like the idea of using Israeli couscous! Yum, I will have to try it next time. Thanks for the comment Trisha!

  2. Hahaha! That’s exactly what we did on this vacation- wish I knew how many miles we walked, it was a LOT. But it was so much fun, and we ate so much good food – can’t wait til you get here, I want to try and make some of it. I even took notes!

  3. I’m always on the lookout for tasty and healthy recipes like this one. I would definitely add avocado-it IS always a great addition!

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