Do you love crazy scary rides?
We were in Disney for the weekend.
We ate Churros, Mickey Ice creams, cheesy pasta, frozen lemonade and a lot in between. I am not even making Ā up what I ate, it was a little too much. I feel stuffed andĀ not soĀ a little guilty to have eaten my way to happiness. Now, I fear the scale. Why am I only talking about food, we were in Ā Disney right???…
Ā The boys rode crazy rides many times and I stood by, 1. feeling too full, 2.feeling too scared. Ā In reality big scary rides scare me more than it used to, wonder why?? I used to be a daredevil, bungee jumping, even sky diving but a 100 foot ride just churns me up from inside even without sitting on the ride.
Food looked better than the rides to me.The churros were so good, warm, lightly crispy on the outside, sorta chewy and soft on the inside with cinnamon sugar dusted all over it,…wow, I sure miss those.
Back to some healthy stuff..
I can’t live without a good spice blend, I’ve been using this one from couple of weeks on vegetables and sweet potatoes, I do like it. To wake up the flavors, I try to add some fresh herbs and some lemon juice. It is a nice blend to have. No, they didn’t pay me, although I wished they did:).
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I Ā enjoy cauliflower in any form but I’m sure you are with me on roasting them. Roasting just brings out the best in them.
I tossed in some garbanzo beans while roasting cauliflower and it was perfect. Had to have some crunch, so, Ā made someĀ BALSAMIC CURRIED WALNUTĀ and tossed everything with some couscous, which I cooked in some vegetable stock. Ā To make this even more perfect, lightly shredded some Parmesan cheese. It was delicious and I would consider this healthy compared to my bread and cheese lunch couple of days ago.
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER COUSCOUSĀ
2 cups pearl couscous
1 cup vegetable stock Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
1 1/2 cup of water
1/2 large head of cauliflower florets
1 cup garbanzo beans( I used canned, drained very well)
1 tsp of any spice blend(use any of your own spices, if you don’t have this)
1/2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp of freshly grated Parmesan
2 tbsp Balsamic candied walnuts for garnish
cilantro for garnish.
Method:
1. Add pearl couscous with water and vegetable stock and add 1/2 salt and cook on medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until the water is fully absorbed. Then cover and let sit for 5 minutes and fluff it up with a fork.
2. When the couscous is cooking, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Add the cauliflower florets, garbanzo beans, curry powder, spice blend, 1/2 tsp of salt and oil. Ā Toss it well and put it on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, making sure the cauliflower doesn’t overcook. Once it exits the oven, squeeze some lemon juice for a fresh taste.
3. Assembly. Ā In a large bowl, add cooked couscous and roasted veggies and toss it in. Ā Add the candied walnuts, some shaved or grated Parmesan and serve immediately.
BALSAMIC CANDIED WALNUTS:
(adapted fromĀ Epicurious)
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup walnuts
In a non stick pan, add balsamic vinegar, sugar and bring it to a simmer. Ā Let the sugar dissolve, add the walnuts and let it simmer until thick and every walnut is coated well, making sure it doesn’t burn. Ā Take it out on a wax sheet and cool. Ā Bread it to pieces and use it on any salad or just as a topping.
ENJOY!!Ā
I too love roasted cauliflowers…super awesome…
That’s a wonderful dish..:-) I love cauliflower too and this looks so inviting. I love you white plate Ash..:-)
I love cauliflowers and great to see a new recipe that I can try! Really love the last photo which I can almost scoop up and eat! š
Everything about this recipe is just so… how do i put it? … Drool-worthy!!!
ps: mesmerizing delish photos!
Love this recipe… love the combo of flavor…thanks for sharing this beautiful recipe..!!
Miam miam! I get so excited when I see a nearly vegan-friendly recipe (omitting the Parmesan)! I love how you used pearl couscous as the grains and the beautiful roasted cauliflowers in loads of spices and flavours. The Balsamic Candied walnuts sound pretty tasty…with the dish! š
That looks/ sounds soo yummy! and i love the quote at the top š glad you’re living it up at disney!! the happiest place on earth is certainly no place for a diet!!
As a recent Disney visitor myself, I have to say I’d far, far prefer your delicious roasted cauliflower! I also used to love rides but not for me anymore…
These look absolutely wonderful
Love the cauliflower only when they are roasted enough. š Of late I am too hooked on couscous, and you have presented it so beautifully.
Sukanya
ooh that plate looks soo appetizing! I love it. I love israeli couscous too but have never tried this combination. Whats not to love about roasted cauliflower. At an indian restaurant they deep fry cauliflower (like fritters) and toss them in this garlic, tomato ketchup sauce. Thats the only cauliflower I like more than roasted but you can tell its not healthy at all!!!
This is so much healthier and good for you.. beautiful presentation.
You know I love my cauliflower so this is perfect! Also your pictures are beautiful! š
Wonderful dish and I love that first photo! It’s so striking!
So hungry….need this now…..
I can’t wait to make this!
Thanks all:)..Pictures are something I struggle with, so thanks for commenting on the pictures, feel good about it.
I love roasting vegetables too! It really brings out the sweetness and concentrates the flavour. This looks fabulous and I love that plate!
Lovely and so full of flavor…I love this couscous!!!!
LOL! (on the quote)
Disney, no place for to even think about dieting. It is the happiest place on earth where you don’t gain any weight at all.
Roasted cauliflowers look very pretty, good enough to eat!
Roasted cauliflower is right up my alley and I love how you spiced it up!
Exquisite! This dish looks and sounds fantastic. I really love that combination of ingredients and flavors.
Cheers,
Rosa
Roasting definitely does something wonderful to cauliflower! And my – so love your addition of the balsamic candied walnuts!
YUM!!!!
Your pictures are so elegant so so gorgeous!
roasted cauliflower and candied walnuts make a fabulous combination for the couscous…such a delicious blend of flavors,yum…
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! š
I love the combination you have here, very creative. Beautiful shots.
btw am terrified of rides too
I might try this just for the balsamic candied walnuts alone! But the entire dish looks amazing. š
How pretty. I can’t tell you enough how much I cook with cauliflower and chickpeas. Usually separately but your combination is fabulous!
So many yummy ingredients paired with your roasted cauliflower! It must taste amazing!!!
This post inspired me to roast some cauliflower on an open fire when I went camping this week. No couscous, but still it was so good. GREG
Greg that’s awesome, grilled cauliflower would’ve been good enough..Thanks for your comment.
Roasted cauliflower with pearl couscous looks really yumm.
Looks so yummy and inviting recipe.
Roast cauliflower is so good – even people who think they don’t like cauliflower like it when roasted. I’ve had cauliflower in couscous before, but never roasted – great idea! Lovely recipe. Thanks so much.
Sounds like you had lots of fun in Disney-dieting can wait š
Love the roasted cauliflower recipe, great combination with Couscous.
Hahaha…..I totally agree, every time I’m at the happiest place on earth, I tend to eat a little too much. I used to love those crazy rides, but not any more. In my case, I think I’m getting old. I get dizzy with the slightest swing.
Your ROASTED CAULIFLOWER COUSCOUS sounds awesome and so healthful. Gotta give that spice blend a try. š
I liked that quote..makes sense š I hate rides..They make me sick and nervous. Interesting recipe. Would love to try it out some time.
Stunningly gorgeous, girl! You make pearl couscous look sexy and inspire me with your food styling and photography. Plus, I cannot wait to make this dish! Mmmm. Thanks for sharing!
I am scared of the crazy rides, but disney is packed with tons of fun stuff…so got to get on some rides to get the vibe.
The couscous with roasted cauliflower is simply amazing and I love how you presented the salad.
Thank you girlfriends.
I love the couscous pearl’s texture against the cauliflower, it looks spectacular.
Thanks Nik..
This looks absolutely amazing. AMAZING! Definitely have to try this. My boyfriend doesn’t like garbanzo beans so I’d have to sub with something else. For some reason, butternut squash is dancing through my mind. Yum. Pinned!
Julie @ This Gal Cooks
Wow! This looks absolutely delicious! Such a great combination of ingredients. BTW, your photos are phenomenal!!
This looks SO good. I don’t have a spice blend, so what kind of spices would you recommend using instead?
Those roasted cauliflowers look so GOOD!
Veronica, I am sorry for the late response. You can use any other spice blend, of cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder. A pretty adaptive dish.
Hope you get to try it.
@Angie-thanks my dear.