This will be a short post, because I'm exhausted from dancing all of last night. My legs were doing the mambo, the samba, and the tango, but the rest of my body was trying to sleep. Yes, I'm so trendy, I have that hot new ailment called Restless Leg Syndrome. I always try to keep up with the popular syndromes, and I'm very good at this one. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow, because lack of sleep is going to drive me to do something unpleasant. I don't know what it would be, but most likely it would involve some kind of bodily
harm to someone, just for looking at me the wrong way.
So, being really grumpy and tired, I fixed this quick meal that tasted very good. It didn't make me any less grumpy though. It uses my favorite fast pasta, couscous, with parsley, spinach chiffonade, and lemon chive dressing. I added some tuna to it, to give myself some protein. But, while I love tuna, it didn't make me feel any better. I also used some sun gold tomatoes from my garden, which was nice, I admit. But, basically, I need sleep. If I don't get some, expect to see me on news as "Northern California woman runs amuck in small town, smashing windows and shooting people with a paintball gun." Actually, I've never used a paintball gun, but it sounds like a handy thing right now.
This is my submission to Presto Pasta Night, which was started by the wonderful Ruth at Once Upon A Feast. This week, PPN is being hosted by Kevin at Closet Cooking, where you can find amazing, drool worthy pictures of recipes he has prepared. Do stop by his blog and check out the recap of wonderful pasta recipes from bloggers from all over the world.
Couscous Salad With Spinach And Lemon Chive Dressing
Time: 15 minutes
1 cup medium-grain instant couscous
1 teaspoon salt
1-2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cups loosely packed parsley leaves
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 spring onions or scallions, trimmed and cut into very thin rings
5 ounces fresh spinach leaves, cut into a chiffonade (4 cups, loosely packed)
3 tablespoons creamy lemon-chive dressing (see recipe), or as needed.
1. Combine couscous and salt in large shallow bowl. Toss with fork to blend. Add 1-1/3 cups of hottest possible tap water, and fluff until grains are separated. Set aside and occasionally fluff until all liquid has been absorbed, about 3 minutes.
2. Combine lemon juice, parsley leaves and olive oil in food processor or blender. Process until parsley is finely chopped, then toss with couscous and spring onions. (May be prepared and refrigerated for up to 8 hours.)
3. To serve, toss spinach chiffonade with just enough dressing to evenly coat. Add to couscous mixture and toss gently until blended.
Yield: 6-8 servings
Recipe: Creamy Lemon-Chive Dressing
Time: 5 minutes
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoonsalt, or as needed
1 cup light cream
1/3 cup finely minced chives.
1. Put lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt in small jar, cover and shake to dissolve salt.
2. Add cream and chives. Shake to blend. Adjust salt to taste. Store, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 week. Shake to blend before using.
Yield: 1 1/4 cups.
The couscous salad looks great. It certainly cheers me up. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/
This week the Presto Pasta Night Roundup is hosted by Kevin at Closet Cooking.
I hope the doctor does something pronto to get you some sleep...deprivation is no joking matter.
Posted by: Ruth | June 13, 2008 at 05:00 AM
What a bright, healthy and tasty looking couscous salad! I hope you get some sleep soon! Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Posted by: Kevin | June 13, 2008 at 05:22 AM
I hope you get better soon, my dear. I truly do.
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | June 13, 2008 at 05:48 AM
Sher this salad looks totally wonderful. I'm on my way for spinach. Just what I need spinach. Now let's see . . . tuna ...I think maybe ok tuna!
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | June 13, 2008 at 06:58 AM
Oh, Sher, I do hope you find some relief from this soon -- lack of sleep makes me crazy.
Posted by: Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) | June 13, 2008 at 07:52 AM
I eat a lot of couscous salads during the summer... Yours looks fantastic and refreshing!
Cheers,
Rosa
Posted by: Rosa | June 13, 2008 at 08:08 AM
YUM!!
So sorry to hear about the crazy leg business. I have had that often and find it is helped by taking a calcium/magnesium supplement. Always happens if I have wine..
Hope it eases out soon.
Posted by: Cape Cod Kitty | June 13, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Aw, Sher! I have RLS too, to a lesser degree. I noticed it over 20 years ago but thought it was just me, until I read about it as one of the five signs of sleep apnea about a decade ago (I have three of the signs). Luckily it doesn't bother me when I sleep, but it is getting more frequent, so that may be coming down the pike for me. Cape Cod Kitty is right--I've heard about the calcium/magnesium supplement, so you may want to try that. Also, this is going to sound insane, but a popular folk remedy for nighttime leg cramps and RLS is putting a bar of soap under the sheets where your legs are. Do a Google search on it if you don't believe me!
Posted by: Shannon | June 13, 2008 at 09:20 AM
I never knew couscous was a pasta! Thanks for enlightening me (now I have even more options for PPN!) I echo Lydia's comments..sleep deprivation is NOT fun.
Posted by: Avra | June 13, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I am not sure if this will help you or not, but I have bouts of RLS that usually coincide with flares from my fibro and I got so tired of being doped up - I went off all meds. Yogi Tea makes herbal tea called Kava Kava - and I tried it for relaxation - and of all things - it tamed my legs.
The salad looks great. I was some place and got a Mediterrian plate for lunch and they had tabbouleh on it - which I don't like. Bulgar wheat and my taste buds don't agree - but I loved this - and then figured out - it was because it wasn't real tabbouleh, it was a couscous salad...Yeah!
Posted by: k | June 13, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Nice site you have here :o) I too suffer from RLS, it feels like (sorry for this in advance)worms are crawling through your veins...yuck! Anyway, I've been taking Requip and it really helps. It has a few side effects, but it's worth it to finally not spend the whole night moving my legs back and forth.
Posted by: Jill | June 13, 2008 at 05:41 PM
those look very yummy! i love to eat something light and easy nowadays, so i'd probably try your recipe, thanks!
Posted by: eliza | June 13, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Delicious-looking! I love couscous!
Paz
Posted by: Paz | June 14, 2008 at 07:14 AM
Lemon chive...that sounds fab!
Posted by: Jeff | June 14, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Many folks can't empathize with what lack of sleep can do to a person (although not the sweet people who've left comments here). You put on a good front but I know it's no joking matter. I hope relief comes soon! Great cous cous dish!
Posted by: Christine | June 14, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Get thee a paintball gun...great for pms and nights without sleep :)
The salad sounds wonderful and refreshing!
Posted by: Tartelette | June 14, 2008 at 08:53 PM
For years I avoided couscous... It's very popular here in France and, usually, rather dry and sparsely garnished. Then I decided to make it myself (it's sooooo hard) and, like you, loaded it up with yummy stuff. Now I love it. And this looks delicious...though I'll use Greek yogurt instead of cream... 'cause that's what's in the fridge!
Posted by: katie | June 15, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Oh I'm so sorry to hear you have RLS ... I have a friend that suffers and suffer is the word! Thanks for still posting and sharing your delicious dinner.
Posted by: Alisha | June 16, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Wow, that's one of the best looking pasta dishes I've seen in a long time. I bet it tasted just as great as it is healthy for you!
So sorry about the legs. That is so very frustrating. I can get a paint ball gun for you...oh, maybe not such a good idea to arm you... :-)
Posted by: Glenna | June 16, 2008 at 11:04 AM
You make something this great when you are grumpy? I am impressed.
I get that RLS about once a month..feels like I am getting electric shocks up and down my legs. A warm bath helps me...in the middle of the night. Best of luck to you.
Posted by: Melly | June 16, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Oh restless leg syndrome is terrible, I had it when I was pregnant really badly but still suffer but not as often...I take sleeping meds which is a terrible solution. I don't know about you but I find it much worse when I drink red wine too. Check any medication you might be on, that can trigger RLS but alot of doctors aren't familiar with which ones can cause it...your pharmacist will know. Also, I find those horrible old lady creams with menthol in them help a little bit.
I love your salad recipes, I'm always looking for salad recipes in the summer....and vegetarian recipes too....right now I'm in search of some nice cold soup recipes which might be more filling than some of the delicate ones which seem to be common.
Posted by: Porter | June 16, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I'm typing this at 6 AM; I'm cruisin' the Internet because my legs won't let me sleep. Sorta ironic, I guess. I also cook a lot - maybe it's the standing in the kitchen that keeps the RLS at bay.
For those gluten-intolerant, this would probably work well with quinoa. I think I'll try it.
For more help with the RLS, head over to rls.org. They have an excellent message board with lots of links, tips, pharma and non-pharma advice, etc. Lots of docs aren't as educated as they should be...which means we, the patients, have to be. Hope you are sleeping tonight.
Posted by: viewsaskew | June 17, 2008 at 04:04 AM
great looking dish and I hope you feel better sher.
Posted by: Sue | June 17, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Thanks for sharing such a great recipe after a sleepless night =)
Mendor Ran
Posted by: Mendor Ran | December 21, 2009 at 02:16 AM
So sorry! My mom and brother deal with the leg thingie; I hope you can solve it.
... nice salad though;)
Posted by: janelle | December 29, 2009 at 12:16 AM