just add water.

i'm serious.

earlier tonight i was obsessed with one step of a research problem, and didn't have the desire to do any of my usual cooking. so i made this in the time it takes to boil a kettle of water.

it's not pre-cooked food in the usual sense. if you haven't had couscous before, then you are not yet a person; your parents were merely bolstering your self-esteem before your discovery of this miracle grain.

the ingredients i used, for 2 servings:

• two large handfuls of couscous grain.
  
• a handful of sun-dried tomatoes, julienned.
  
• 1/2 cup pre-cooked black beans .. from a can, for instance.
  
• sesame and/or olive oil, to taste
  
• some of cumin, curry powder, turmeric
  
• salt and pepper, to taste
  
• OPTIONAL: a cilantro or red chile garnish, or crushed nuts.

toss all the ingredients in a sufficiently large bowl, add boiling water, and mix regularly until the mixture is no longer wet. my usual rule is to add 4 parts boiling water to 3 parts couscous mixture, but if you like it a little drier and fluffier, less water might be right for you. the proportions might also vary with the type of couscous.

serve in bowls, and i suggest a side of baby carrots and a medium cluster of grapes.

as a warning, i tend to underflavor grain-based dishes, so these seasonings may remain a bit bland. in that case, i would boil some vegetable broth instead of water .. it doesn't kill the spirit of this recipe, but rather cripples it somewhat.

be the envy of your friends! i've used this recipe for lunch before. if your office has an electric kettle, you can mix the recipe beforehand and add hot water right at lunchtime, for a fresh, hot concoction; the sesame oil is usually fragrant enough so that your officemates will notice and envy you. q: