Balsamic Tomato Couscous

Description: We had a potluck to attend where we had been asked to bring a side dish. I was craving couscous though I knew few (if any) of my friends would be willing to try it. Never mind, I moved forward! This is a slight adaptation of one I found in one of my favorite cookbooks "500 almost fat free pasta recipes." And truth be told, I brought very little home and got asked for the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups nonfat vegetable broth or 2 cups nonfat chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked couscous
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
• 5 small tomatoes

Steps:

1. In a medium pan, bring the broth to a boil.
2. When it is boiling add the basil and garlic and stir. Then add the couscous, cover the pan, and remove it from the heat. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
3. Chop the tomatoes.
4. In a small bowl mix the balsamic vinegar, the oil, and the pepper. Add the tomatoes.
5. When the couscous is ready add the tomato mixture and mix well.
6. Serve hot or cold.