Chicken and Couscous Soup

Chicken and Couscous Soup  

No Count

Serves 6

For full choice, recipe as shown 12½ pts for the whole thing

For no count: Use spray oil and the whole thing is no count

1 tblspn olive oil( I use spray ) 2½pts
1 onion sliced
1/2 tspn ground cumin
1/2 tspn paprika
1 tspn grated ginger
1 clove garlic,crushed
2 sticks celery,sliced
2 sml carrots,sliced
2 courgettes, sliced
41/2cups chicken stock
2 chicken breasts, cut into thin strips 5pts
pinch of saffron threads, optional ( I use VERY sml amount of saffron powder )
100g  couscous  5 pts
2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

Heat the oil (spray)in a large heavy based saucepan.Add the onion and cook over medium heat for 10 mins until very soft,stirring occasionally.

Add the cumin,paprika,ginger and garlic and cook,stirring,for 1 min further.

Add the celery,carrot and zucchini and stir to coat with spices.Pour in the stock,stirring to combine.Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat to simmer,partially covered with a loose-fitting lid,for about 15 mins,until the vegies are tender.

Add the chicken and saffron(if you are using)to the pan and cook for about 5 mins,until the chicken is just tender:do not overcook.Stir in the couscous and chopped parsley and serve.

Hint: Add the couscous to the soup just before serving as it absorbs liquid quickly and becomes very thick.