BASIL COUSCOUS RECIPES

Steps:

• This works great as a stand-alone recipe, but also as a component in Jamie’s Picnic Love from Together – see the full collection of menus here. ON THE DAY Roughly chop the tomatoes and place in a blender with ½ a chilli. Tear in the basil, reserving a handful of nice baby leaves. Add 4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of water and a pinch of sea salt, then blitz until smooth (work in batches, if needed). Pour the mixture through a coarse sieve into a deep enamel tray or bowl. Season to perfection, tasting and tweaking, then stir in the couscous, cover, and leave to rehydrate in the fridge for 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Trim the baby courgettes and halve lengthways, placing them in a baking tray as you go. Peel the garlic, slice with the remaining chillies and add to the tray, then squash, destone and tear in the olives. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lightly season and toss together. Rub the feta with a little oil, then place in the centre of the tray and roast for 30 minutes, or until everything is lightly golden. Mix up the couscous, scatter over the courgettes, garlic, chilli and olives, crumble over the feta, sprinkle with the reserved basil leaves, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. This will be delicious served warm or cold.

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the garlic clove, then gently fry for 1 min.
• Tip in the chopped tomatoes, vegetable stock powder, tomato purée and sugar, then bring to the boil.
 Reduce the heat, then simmer uncovered for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.
• To finish, tear a few basil leaves, then stir into the sauce.