It’s almost Easter week (YAY!). It’s the biggest celebration of the year in Croatia with all kinds of traditions and specific foods. Throughout the country, there’s no time more important for spring onions: you will find them in all kinds of spring dishes but more than anywhere else? Tucked inside a basket on Easter morning that gets taken to church to be blessed. The tradition also includes a piece of ham, bread and hard boiled eggs. I remember watching all of our neighbors on Easter morning last year walk to church with baskets of food, wondering what on earth they were doing! Spring onions are wonderful in a traditional wild asparagus fritaja, but today I used them in this simple dish loaded with mediterranean flavors.
Simple Springtime Mediterranean Cous Cous
(serves 4 with leftovers)
1-2 lbs chicken, rinsed and cut in pieces
6 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves only
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 lemons
sea salt
extra virgin olive oil
250g (about 2 C) cous cous
1 block fresh feta (in brine)
1 can chick peas, rinsed
1 large handful green onions, chopped
handful of fresh parsley
white wine vinegar
Don’t worry about exact measurements, just taste as you go! Mash up the rosemary leaves and garlic cloves with a mortar and pestle (or food processor), adding in some sea salt, juice from two lemons and a couple good glugs of olive oil. Fresh parsley or coriander would also be a great addition. Put the chicken in a large bowl with a cover or in a large freezer bag. Toss to coat. Like any good marinated meat, it’s best to marinate overnight or at least for 3-6 hours if possible!
Prepare the cous cous according to its directions. I like to add in some salt and drizzle of olive oil for taste. Over medium high heat, pour the chicken and marinade into the saute pan (you may need to do this in two batches depending on how much you used) and sear the chicken on both sides. If the chicken is thin and cut in small pieces, this will happen quickly so be careful not to overcook it. Pour the chicken and liquid on one side of the cous cous in a large serving dish. Return the pan to the heat and pour in the chick peas. It’s best to use a non-stick pan. Cook until the chick peas begin to brown and crunch up on the outside then add them to the cous cous. Break up some feta and add in the chopped green onions and torn parsley. I drizzled the whole dish with a sweet white wine vinegar, but you could also squeeze lemon juice over the top or even drizzle with a good balsamic vinegar… Taste and season as you like! If it tastes a little dry, you could toss together a nice citrus marinade to pour over it. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and honey, taste and adjust. Serve with a chilled white wine. It was even better the next day for lunch!
Jess Mayled says
Hi Amanda, This look delicious. I will definitely be attempting this. I was just wondering if I can please ask you a couple of travel related questions. I absolutely loved the Lake Tekapo photos of the lupins in NZ. I am planning to go later this year which I am so excited about. I would really love to time it around those beautiful blooming lupins. Can you please tell me what dates you were there so I may have the same luck? And also what camera do you use for your photos? they are so good & clear. Thanks so much <3 Jess
Amanda Marshall says
Jess,
Thank you so much!!
Ahh I loved the lupins – they were all over the south island, not just the lake, though that was definitely the best of them. We went during the first two weeks of december during their spring. We hit a good amount of rain but the rest of the time it was just stunning and hardly ran into any other tourists. I have a canon 5d mark iii but had a nikon d90 before upgrading and would highly recommend both! Feel free to ask me anything else as you plan your trip:)
Tim and Lanna Britt says
YUM! This looks tasty, Mrs Marshall! We grilled out tonight some good ol' american cheeseburgers. Nothing was fancy though… except the delicious fresh agave margaritas I made! Wish I could have made (a little) one for you! 🙂
xoxo – lanneybear
Amanda Marshall says
Ooooh! Please send me one asap!!
~Seth and Nancy~ says
this looks delicious! Love the spring pictures too
Amanda Marshall says
Thank you, Nancy! Happy Easter!
alice says
The Metabolic Factor Blueprint
Modern homes rely on gas on fires, cookers and boilers to cook, heat bath water and to even heat the spaces for more comfortable areas at home. Gas supply companies have therefore managed to make the lives of many people more comfortable and convenient. But as a gas consumer, you should ensure that you learn how to safely use and live with gas around your home because it can be very dangerous.
EZ Battery Reconditioning
Merlin. E says
Regrow Hair Protocol Reviews
The problem of hair loss is a recurring issue that has to be curbed. The scientific researchers have brought up highly advanced techniques of restoring follicles such as G- Factor-FUE.
Grace Bakya says
EZ Battery Reconditioning
This article is a review of the Asus Mypal A636N. It is a PDA and GPS in one, and runs Windows Pocket mobile. There are other similar products but for the price and features you can't go wrong. This units have been around for a while, with the A639 has recently been released that supersedes the A636 range. The 839 is much more expensive (and DOES have some better features), but the A636N is real value for money.
brittany says
oh, my pretty friend! you are just the most amazing creator of meals and babies! this is heaven to my eyeballs! if i was full of adventure and money i'd be zooming to croatia so fast. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Amanda Marshall says
How I wish you could!!!!!