The other week my friend and coworker Judy asked me what I thought about capers. I told her I loved capers but the more I thought about them the fewer dishes with capers I could come up with. Since then, I’ve been searching for new recipes that include capers – like this quick and tasty side dish of couscous. There is no quicker side dish than couscous. I suggest making it right when your guests arrive and fluffing it before you sit down!

Couscous with Pine Nuts and Capers

Ingredients:

• 2 cups couscous
• 2 and a half cups chicken broth (you can also use water or veggie stock)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 to 1/2 cups pine nuts
• 1/4 cup capers
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 2 or 3 tomatoes, chopped

Assembly: Toast pine nuts in a dry pan on low to bring out flavors then set aside. Bring chicken broth to a boil with butter – add couscous and stir. Cover and remove from heat. Meanwhile, saute the tomatoes and thyme in a splash of olive oil. Fluff the couscous with a fork (it takes about five minutes to cook) and add tomatoes, capers, and pine nuts.