Three-Ingredient Basic Couscous

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups couscous
• 2 3/4 cups chicken broth (or water)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Add the liquid to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Sprinkle in salt and stir.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Add the couscous.
5. Let the couscous sit for approximately five minutes (It needs time to absorb the liquid).
6. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Toasted Couscous

For this tasty variation, you can use the basic recipe above, but you will just need to toast your couscous before adding liquid.

Directions:

• Melt one or two tablespoons of butter in a saucepan (you can also use olive oil).
• Stir in the couscous and cook until it is nicely toasted.
• Add liquid and cook as directed in the basic recipe above.

Garlicky Israeli Couscous

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cup of chicken broth
• 2 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 1/3 cup of Israeli couscous
• Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Warm the chicken broth until hot. Set aside.
2. Add olive oil to a skillet and place on medium heat.
3. Once hot, add the couscous to the pan. Cook for approximately two to three minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the garlic and the red pepper. Continue cooking for approximately 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
5. Pour in the hot broth.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Cook the couscous for approximately 14 minutes or until the broth has evaporated.
8. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the couscous and mix in well.

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The post 3 Coucous Recipes to Try at Home appeared first on South Side Flats Blog.

Pasta With Farm-Fresh Mushroom Sauce

This dish is perfect for two people — plus, you'll have leftovers. Because, hey, letting a guest leave without leftovers just won't do.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta noodles of your choice
• 3 tablespoons organic, extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic, crushed
• Half a sweet onion, diced
• 1 10-ounce box of fresh baby portobello mushrooms, minced 
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon olive tapenade
• 1/3 cup dry red wine or cooking wine
• 1 teaspoon oregano, fresh or dry
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions

You can plan to serve this dish with a side of sliced tomatoes, garnished with fresh basil.

Step 1. Make the sauce.

• Heat 2 tablespoons of organic, extra-virgin olive oil on medium heat in a large pot. Add garlic and onion, saute until they are on the verge of browning, then add the mushrooms and continue to cook until they begin to add their rich, umami juices to the mix.
• Add the tomato paste, the olive tapenade, and the red wine. Cook for three more minutes.
• Remove from the heat, season with the oregano, and add salt and pepper. 

Step 2. Cook the pasta.

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add pasta. Cook according to package directions. 
• Drain the pasta in a colander. 
• Add the cooked pasta to your pot of mushroom sauce. Optionally, add the third tablespoon of olive oil. 
• Carefully stir the ingredients while heating the sauce and mixing it throughout the pasta. 

Baby Mushrooms Offer Big Benefits

What's in the mushrooms?

• Selenium has antioxidant properties.
• Copper helps to reinforce the body's iron. 
• Potassium helps protect blood pressure and heart health. 

Oregano and basil add even more nutritional benefits!

Enjoy a Modern Kitchen at South Side Flats  

You'll be keen to get cooking once you lay eyes on the modern, open-plan kitchens at South Side Flats. Each has beautiful granite counters, as well as a breakfast bar for easily and stylishly serving your guests.

So come tour our architecturally significant, modern homes in the artsy, culturally diverse, historic Cedars neighborhood. We look forward to welcoming you home.

The post Easy Recipe You’ll Love: Pasta With Mushroom Sauce appeared first on South Side Flats Blog.

Choose the Perfect Menu

Planning the menu for your dinner party should be the first and most important task you perform. While coming up with the most delectable items may be at the top of the list, there are other issues you will need to consider to make sure all of your guests will have something they enjoy on the menu.

• Do any of your guests have food allergies or dietary restrictions?
• Will you be serving the meal at a table or buffet style?
• Will your meal follow a set schedule or will guests be coming and going?
• How much space will you have to serve the food?

Carefully Choose Your Theme

Themed dinner parties can be the perfect way to express your personality and help make your event more memorable. When deciding on a theme, make sure that it is specific enough that your guests will see it throughout your decor, food, and dress, but broad enough that it does not limit what you can do. If choosing a theme that requires a certain dress, make sure to specify it on the invitation so that your guests will have time to choose the appropriate attire.

Create an Inviting Table

No matter if you are hosting a formal sit-down dinner or a buffet-style spread, the centerpiece of your event should be your table since dinner is the primary focus of the party. Break out your most formal dinnerware and include all of the appropriate setting pieces for utensils and plates based on the courses that will be served.

If you are looking for a new apartment to be the setting of your perfect dinner party, visit Southside Flats today to find the best floor plan. Our architecturally significant, modern homes are in the artsy, culturally diverse, historic Cedars neighborhood. Contact us for more information!

The post Host the Perfect Dinner Party With These 3 Tips appeared first on South Side Flats Blog.