Sunday, July 07, 2019

Zucchini Couscous Salad

 

Zucchini Couscous Salad

This delicious salad tastes good cold as a leftover. It is made with couscous and cooked zucchini.
Feeds: 4 people
Preparation Time:10 minutes
Cooking Time:15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup chopped red onions
  • 1 big zucchini — sliced and fried in olive oil and garlic
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup whole wheat couscous
  • fresh parsley leaves 
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes — cut in half
  • 1 tsp green onion
  • 3 tbsp white cheese like feta
  • 1/3 cup homemade vinaigrette of olive oil, squeezed lemon, basil, salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium heatproof bowl, pour 1 1/4 cup boiling water (boiled with vegetable or chicken bullion base) over the couscous.
  2. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Uncover, fluff with a fork, and set aside to let cool for 5 minutes more. Add fresh parsley leaves.
  4. In a medium bowl, gently toss the zucchini with 1 tbs olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook over a grill or in a frying pan. Use fresh crushed garlic and red onion in frying pan.
  5. Turn zucchini occasionally, until it is browned and softened but not mushy, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  6. In the same dish used to cook the couscous, add zucchini and cheese and tomatoes. (Add green onion if you like onion.) Stir well adding the vinaigrette. Homemade vinaigrette is made from olive juice, squeezed lemon, and basil. Salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you think it is necessary. Serve immediately or cold as a leftover.

Nutrition Information

Amount per serving (1/4) — Calories: 220, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 392mg, Potassium: 184mg, Carbohydrates: 16g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Protein: 4g, Vitamin A: 12%, Vitamin C: 6%, Calcium: 5%, Iron: 2%

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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John Fisher Four siblings enter a wardrobe and find themselves in Narnia, a magical, but dark wintry land ruled by the evil White Witch. Published in 1950, the story is set to the real world background of England during World War II. Readers easily made comparison to their own wartime experiences. The book is made even more interesting because of its strong Christian overtones. 

Audible reviewers wrote, "The four young heroes and Aslan the lion are lovingly created and detailed, and audio [narrated by Michael York] brings them to brighter life in one's imagination than any movie or visual recording can." 

Michael York's reading of this classic is as "enchanting" as the story. "His British accent is fitting, all intonations are perfect, and he adds just the right amount of drama in all the right places." The narration of each character is distinct and fits perfectly their personalities.

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Sunday, April 28, 2019

The Gods of Guilt (Mickey Haller, #5; Harry Bosch Universe, #25)The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

John Fisher Past failures have hurt defense lawyer Mickey Haller's reputation and estranged his daughter. Haunted by these ghosts of his past, Haller works tirelessly and bring all his skill to bear on a case that could mean his ultimate redemption or proof of his ultimate guilt. In the Gods of Guilt, a web developer pimp is accused of murdering a prostitute, but claims to be innocent.

Michael Connelly tells a suspenseful story, with plot twists, that keep the reader involved in the story. He is a master of courtroom drama. I was so fascinated that I listened all night long. Finally, at six a.m. I finished the story and then fell asleep.

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After Anatevka: LiveAfter Anatevka: Live by Alexandra Silber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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John Fisher A special live performance for Fiddler on the Roof fans about what might have happened to Tevye’s family. A cast of rising Broadway stars joined actress and author Alexandra Silber in celebrating the Audible release of After Anatevka, the historical novel she wrote about Tevye’s second-eldest daughter, Hodel. Silber’s fascination with Hodel began when she played her in a production of Fiddler in London’s West End. Actors often write a backstory for the characters they play so they can fully imagine and embody them onstage. But Silber was more interested in Hodel’s fate than her history. “I had never played a character who felt so much like me,” she says. “I felt responsible for what happened to her after she boards the train to Siberia to join her revolutionary fiancé Perchik.” 

While this presentation highlights some wonderful singing from the original score, the story of Hodel really didn't keep my attention and I soon lost interest. 

(Excerpts taken from Audible's description of the presentation.)

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