Asparagus
Couscous
Salad
6
cups water
2
tsp. salt
¾ lb. thin asparagus spears, trimmed
2
tbs. butter
1½ cups quick-cooking couscous
2
tbs. rice vinegar
1
tbs. sugar
1
tsp. finely grated fresh ginger
2
tbs. toasted sesame oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper,
to taste
½ cup diced roasted red bell pepper
¼ cup black or regular sesame seeds,
toasted
This salad, perfect as a side dish for grilled fish or chicken, can be made ahead of time,
refrigerated and brought back to room temperature. Servings: 4-6
Place the inner pot into the rice cooker. Pour 4 cups water into the inner pot, press the
“Steam” button and allow it to come to a boil. Add 1 tsp. of the salt and asparagus spears
and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Using extreme caution as inner pot and water
will be hot, drain and plunge asparagus into a bowl of ice water for 5 minutes; drain and pat
dry with paper towels. Cut asparagus into 1-inch diagonal pieces.
Place the inner pot back into the rice cooker. Press the “White Rice” button. Add butter,
remaining 2 cups water and 1 tsp. salt to inner pot and allow to come to a boil. Add
couscous and cook for 2 minutes. Cover, and press the “Keep-Warm/Power” button once to
turn the rice cooker to “Keep-Warm” mode for 5 minutes. Fluff grains with a fork and cool for
a few minutes. In a small bowl, combine vinegar, sugar and ginger; whisk in sesame oil and
season with salt and pepper. Pour couscous into a bowl with asparagus, red pepper and
dressing; toss gently. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Ingredient
s:
Curried
Carrot
Barley
Soup
3
tbs. butter
1
small onion, thinly sliced
Pinch red pepper flakes
2
tsp. curry powder
½ cup quick-cooking barley
1
tbs. brown sugar
1
lb. carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
4
cups chicken broth
1
tbs. lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Plain yogurt for garnish
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
This soup can be made in less than an hour if you use quick-cooking barley. Slice the
onions and carrots with a food processor for ease. Servings: 4
Place the inner pot into the rice cooker. Press the “Sauté-Then-Simmer™” button. Add
butter and allow it to melt. Sauté onion for 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft. Add pepper flakes
and curry and cook for 1 minute. Add barley and brown sugar and cook for 2 to 3 minutes,
stirring to coat barley with butter-curry mixture. Add carrots and chicken broth and bring to a
boil. Let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Press the “Keep-
Warm/Power” button once to turn the rice cooker to “Keep-Warm.” In batches, carefully
puree soup with a blender or food processor and return to cooker. Stir in lemon juice, salt
and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with yogurt and cilantro. If desired, this soup can be
cooled and refrigerated for a few days or frozen until needed.
25
Ingredient
s:
22