Spurts of Productivity

Thanks to pregnancy insomnia, it's 5:30 a.m. and I've been awake for three hours now. I thought I might as well do something productive with all this "extra" time, so after lying in bed awake for an hour, I've eaten breakfast (at 4 a.m.), checked everyone's blogs, updated my grocery list, and made my menu for the next two weeks. I think I'll pay a few bills next or go out and get the newspaper and probably fall asleep reading it.

Here's a delicious, simple recipe we've had a few times. It seriously is done in a snap and I love the Mediterranean feel of the salad. It reminds me of being in Jordan and Egypt where they serve you fresh tomato and cucumber slices with every meal. If, like Andy, you're hesitant to try the veggies in the salad, the couscous is also good plain if you cook it in chicken broth instead of just plain water. Either way, it's better with broth. Ben also likes the burgers because they're kid-sized.

Spiced Mini Burgers with Couscous Salad

Makes 4 servings
Time: 25m
This recipe is: No Cook, Quick & Easy

Ingredients
1 10-ounce box couscous
1 pound ground beef or turkey
kosher salt and pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 scallions, trimmed and sliced
4 Roma (plum) tomatoes, quartered
1 seedless cucumber, sliced into half-moons
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 8-ounce container hummus (optional)

Directions
1. Place the couscous in a medium bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups hot tap water over the top. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
2. Form the beef into 12 small 1/2-inch-thick patties. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the cumin, and oregano.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook to desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.
4. Combine the couscous, scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the remaining oil in a large bowl. Divide among individual plates. Serve with the burgers and hummus, if desired.