Vehicle for Flavour !

One of the best Quotes I have ever heard about Cooking and food was not watching a Gordon Ramsey or Jamie 'O' programme it was from a quiet Chef who worked at the Treehouse Restaurant in Alnwick called Richard 'Storm' Norris. Storm was his nickname due to a love of low cost Cider but  I preferred to think it was more to do with his speed in the kitchen.
Anyway I remember talking to another member of staff about Cous Cous and they said it was tasteless. I agreed but Richard overheard the conversation and summed up Cous Cous perfectly...." Yes it is tasteless Kev but don't forget it really is just a Vehicle for flavour.." and off he marched back to his section of the kitchen.
Well I was speechless ( A rarity ) it was one of the best food descriptions I have ever heard and even more amazing from a man of very few words. " I am going on a tab break Chester " or " You in the shit Chester ? " was about all I ever got from Richard. Why did he call me Chester ? I haven't got a bloody clue. Just another kitchen nickname I have had to endure, still it made him chuckle ! ha ha.
Their is link to this tale and basically I had some Cous cous for my tea tonight and after many months of not really posting any recipes I thought I would share this one with you.

Artichoke, Bacon and Feta Cous Cous with a Red Pesto and Chili Dressing.

To rehydrate my Cous Cous I usually place it in a plastic container. Pour enough boiling over it just to cover it and then place the lid on the container for 3 minutes and then its usually done. Easy.
Now add your food bits to it.

50g of finely grated Parmesan cheese.

A handful of preserved in Olive oil Artichokes.

3 Rashers of cooked diced Bacon.......ummmmmm......bacon....

A few sprigs of Thyme from the garden or the supermarket ! Then add some crumbled feta. Taste and season if necessary. I say if necessary because the cheese, bacon and even the Artichokes can add enough salt. Its up to you.

Now to the Cous Cous mix add some dressing.
Basically I brought some Red Pesto paste. If you want to make some Red Pesto fine go knock yourself out or 'You Tube' yourself out' for a how to recipe. Me, while in Asda buying a pair of Homer Simpson Slippers I brought a jar of good quality Paste also.
So to make the dressing I placed 2 tsp of the pesto in a mixing bowl and then added, a good splash of White Wine Vineger, then half a finely chopped chilli, the juice of 1 lemon and then poured the oil from the jar of Artichokes into the bowl while mixing well. I then poured some of the dressing into the Cous Cous mix and then plated up.

I have not put many measure down on this recipe mainly because you can judge yourself the amount of ingredients you want to put into this dish. If you want it solely to be a Veggie option then leave the bacon out, if you love Feta cheese put more in. It really is how you want to make it or who you are making it for. Either way its quite a hearty dish and very satisfying while we wait for the Summer to stroll by.......Enjoy !