People craft– getting along with yourself

On By kathleenrowlandIn Make handicrafts--for fun

As empty nesters, we enjoy visiting our kids where they live.  Tomorrow we are flying (yes, Nor-Cal is pretty far away from So-Cal) to CSU Chico, visiting daughter Janice, for parents’ weekend.   I couldn’t possibly stay away. Many events are planned– visit to the farmers market, Feather Falls day hike, Sierra Oro farm tour, and the 2010 Alzheimer’s Memory Walk through Bidwell Park, which happens to be the main charity project for Janice’s sorority (Sigma Kappa).  We have signed up and donated money.  Janice is also involved in a blood drive; like other members, she will give blood herself and then get two other people to give blood.  My husband told her to pay them twenty dollars each or take them out for a twenty dollar meal, and he’d reimburse her.  On SaleThese are good causes, but it might save her time if she could pay them, he says.  On Saturday Janice and I are going to cook dinner for her four suite-mates and any parents who come for the weekend.  We’re making Chicken with Couscous Salad, served with fresh fruit and grilled zucchini flatbread.  Never underestimate the good will of a home cooked meal.

Chicken and Couscous Salad

The following ingredients serve four:

  • Salad:
  • 1 1/4  cups  fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 1  (5.7-ounce) box uncooked couscous
  • 1 1/2  cups  cubed cooked chicken (about 6 ounces)
  • 1/2  cup  thinly sliced green onions
  • 1/2  cup  diced radishes (about 3 large)
  • 1/2  cup  chopped seeded peeled cucumber
  • 1/4  cup  chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2  tablespoons  pine nuts, toasted
  • Dressing:
  • 1/4  cup  white wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2  tablespoons  extravirgin olive oil
  • 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
  • 1/2  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/8  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
  • 1  garlic clove, minced

To prepare salad, bring broth to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Spoon couscous into a large bowl; cool slightly. Add chicken, onions, radishes, cucumber, parsley, and pine nuts; toss gently to combine.

To prepare dressing, combine vinegar and remaining ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss to combine.

9 thoughts on “People craft– getting along with yourself”

  1. For the meal, I’ll buy paper plates, and we can eat at a picnic table by the pool at University Village where Janice lives. The kitchen is very nice in their 4-person apartment, but the dining table is for four. This will be fun!

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  5. Janessa, down by the picnic tables and pool, there are gas grills. We’ll slice zucchini lengthwise, place in a bowl with lemon juice, olive oil, thyme and let it sit for a half hour. We will cook zucchini on the grill, a couple of minutes on a side. Then crisp up flatbread on the grill, take off, sprinkle with goat cheese and lay zucchini on top. Maybe put thin slivers of lemon on top also.

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