CHEESY COUSCOUS BITES WITH TOMATO DIP

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Soon the kids will be on their summer holidays, so I am trying to come up with more recipes for on the go when we are on days out that I can pack up into a picnic. Finger foods always work best and these little bites are delicious. You could add some other veg or even some other protein into these too to mix them up a bit.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (240ml) of couscous
1 cup (240ml) of hot chicken or vegetable stock
60g/2oz cheddar, grated
30g/1oz of parmesan, grated
spray oil

• for the sauce
• 4 large vine tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 tbs of mixed herbs
• 1 splash of balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbs of tomato paste
• 1 cup (240ml) of chicken or vegetable stock
• spray oil
• salt and black pepper

METHOD

1. Add the couscous to a saucepan, cover with the 1 cup of hot chicken or vegetble stock, stir, add leave and leave for 5 mins.
2. Preheat oven to 200c, 400f (gas mark 6)
3. Spray a frying pan over a medium high heat with spray oil
4. Add the onion and garlic and fry till softened
5. Add the tomatoes and simmer until they start to break down into a sauce.
6. Add the mixed herbs, tomato paste, splash of balsamic and stock and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, add lid and simmer for 30 mins, until sauce reduces down and thicken
8. Fluff up the couscous with fork, add half of the tomato sauce and mix. Stir in the the cheddar and Parmesan.
9. With hands work all the mixture together and form into 15 mini bites. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment and spray over the top with spray oil, bake in the oven for 30 mins until lightly golden.
10. While the bites are cooking in the oven, add the remainder of the sauce to a blender and blend till smooth. (or you can leave it chunky for a more rustic sauce)
11. Serve the bites with the sauce on the side. The sauce is delicious hot or cold with these bites.

Source>>CHEESY COUSCOUS BITES WITH TOMATO DIP@slimmingeats.com