Braising cucumber and greens is not something that jumps to mind when you are thinking about using this summer’s cucumber crop in dinner.

But years ago, I came across a recipe for braised cucumber and greens.

I think it was served with couscous, but who really knows.

Sometimes I can’t remember where the recipes I have in my head come from!

For this recipe, I use the larger pearl couscous.

Braised cucumber and lettuce with pearl couscous recipe

To cook the couscous

• • Finely dice two shallots. Heat a little butter in a saucepan, that has a tight-fitting lid. Add shallots and fry until translucent.
  • Add couscous and two cups of stock. For this recipe I used turkey stock – that’s what I had in the freezer and I’m trying to use up what I have on hand at the moment – but you could use chicken. Bring to the boil.
  • Place on the lid and reduce the heat to as low as possible. I cook with induction, so down to number one it goes.
  • Leave the couscous alone for the next 15 minutes.
  • After 15 minutes take off the lid and stir with a fork. You have to use a fork, as to not squash the couscous. It should be cooked.
  • If it isn’t, place the lid back on the saucepan and leave for another 5 minutes.

I used Blu; gourmet Pearl Couscous, which I had in the cupboard. At the moment I am trying to use up what I have on hand and not visit the shopping centre, unless really really needed. Gabriel Gate had no part in me deciding to use this product and I would have paid for it sometime in the past.

To braise the cucumber and greens

• • Go to the garden and pick two cucumbers and lettuce.
  • Slice the cucumber into rounds. Wash and break up the lettuce into bite-size pieces
  • Heat a little olive oil in a large saucepan, that has a tight-fitting lid.
  • Add the cucumber and fry off for a couple of minutes. Add the greens.
  • Add one cup of white wine (I had to open a bottle for this and drank the rest).
  • Season with salt, white pepper and sugar. Place lid on the saucepan and cook for five minutes over medium heat.

To finish off, fold the cooked cucumber and lettuce into the couscous.

Enjoy!

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