Couscous with Black Eyed Peas and grilled Tomatoes for Arusuvai

The Arusuvai Friendship Chain has stretched a long distance this time from the West coast to East Coast. Dear Sig from Live To Eat offered this warm hard of friendship which landed in the Northern Hemisphere through Latha of Masala Magic . Sig mailed me four ingredients, one of which smelled amazing but I had no clue what it was, for two of them I was in the ballpark and the last one had the name on the box.

I absolutely love the beautiful scent that emanates from Epazote it. It truly was the mystery ingredient and just the right one given my love for and the profusion of beany dishes that come out of my kitchen. I am still thinking of a perfect bean dish ;). Kombu and Chile Salt - Chile infused salt with pieces of bell pepper, were the other two for which again I am dreaming up reicpes. The Moroccon Spice Rub I put to use immediately. Thanks much Sig I am absolutely having fun with these ingredients.

The moroccon Spice Rub smells amazing while it is cooking, I used it for the couscous and the grilled tomatoes

Coucous with Black Eyed Peas

1. 1 Cup Couscous + water as per direction
2. 1/4 Medium size red onion sliced lengthwise and chopped in half
3. 2 garlic cloves crushed
4. 1/2 a tomato finely chopped
5. 2 -3 tsp Moroccon spice rub
6. salt to taste
7. 3/4 Cup frozen Black Eyed Peas rinsed out
8. 1 tsp oil + 1 tsp ghee or butter

Grilled Tomatoes
1. 20 -25 Cheery tomatoes split in two
2. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and a bit of the Moroccon spice rub
3. Set it broil for about 8-10 minutes till soft.

Method
1. Set a sauce pan of water seasoned with salt to boil and add the black eyed peas and cook till soft.
2. I another sauce pan heat a combination of oil and ghee(butter) and when hot add
3. garlic and onion and cook till soft, add the tomatoes and cook till it is really soft
4. Add the moroccon spice rub and mix well
5. Add the water half a cup more than what is in the directions (mine said 1 1/4 so I added about 2 cups of water) check for salt and seasoning and when boiling
6. add the couscous, mix in the water, turn of the heat
7. Let stand covered for about 5 minutes

Serve with the grilled tomatoes on top.