photo by House of Sims
DEAR SARA: I need help with couscous. I’d never had it before in my life. I basically just did the microwave version and added salt, pepper and butter. It was OK, almost like grits but way grainier. It didn’t do anything for me. Any idea on how to make it better? After all, I did buy one container to try new things, and I can’t waste it. So help. Please. — Louise, Georgia

DEAR LOUISE: I’ve never had it plain. I typically cook mine in chicken broth. I add butter and serve it with vegetables, such as carrots and onions, as a side to a meat dish. I also like it cooked with herbs, such as rosemary and oregano and served with diced tomatoes with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on. You can add it to soups and stews, too. I suspect other people would have far more interesting and authentic ways to prepare it. I aim for family-friendly.
Try:
Veggies and Couscous
1/2 c. chicken broth
1 small carrot, thinly sliced
1/4 c. green pepper, chopped
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 c. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/3 c. quick cooking couscous
1 tsp. lemon juice

6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tbsp. parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro, minced

1/4 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

Combine the first five ingredients, cover and microwave on high 2-3 minutes until carrots are tender. Add the next three ingredients, mix and and cook another 2-3 minutes until broth is absorbed. Stir in the next three ingredients, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top, cover and let stand 1-2 minutes until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
Hint – For a large family, double the recipe. — Terese C. via e-mail

DEAR SARA: What can be done with a blueberry stain in a red sweater? Of course, it was a Christmas gift, so it’s a brand-new sweater. Thanks! — Dee S., e-mail

DEAR DEE: Soak the section of the sweater where it’s stained in vinegar. Next, boil water and pour the boiled water over the stain. You might need to do this more than once. Don’t put the garment into the dryer. If you do need to repeat treatment, try a vinegar-and-baking-soda paste applied to the stain, and let the garment soak in water with an enzyme laundry detergent, such as Wisk. Then pour the boiling water over it.

DEAR SARA: How do I get out of a cell-phone contract? I have one year left on a two-year contract and two cell phones. It would cost $200 each to end the contract early. Do you have any ideas for me? It was a big mistake to get into the contract. — Lea H., e-mail

DEAR LEA: You can try to transfer your phone and contract. Most carriers will let you. Try www.celltradeusa.com or www.cellswapper.com. These are Web sites that match people looking for shorter contracts with people trying to transfer contracts. Visit the Web sites for details. They charge a small fee to match people and aren’t directly involved in the actual contract transfer. Often, you’ll need to offer incentives, such as your phone or accessories.

DEAR SARA: I’m looking for a creative garden gift idea for my wife. I made her a succulent wreath one year, and she loved it. Any suggestions? — Mark, Illinois

DEAR MARK: Have you seen the vertical wall gardens? You can buy the vertical planting panel. Smith & Hawken sells them. If you’re handy, you could build one yourself. It’s somewhat similar to the grow bag, window box and succulent-wreath concept because it’s hung, but it’s more structured. You already know she liked the succulents, so you could possibly plant some into containers for the patio/porch area. Maybe planted individually in clear glass containers, clay pots or footed containers? If you prefer, you can plant them into a low-sided decorative ceramic container “en masse” or create a new garden area specifically for succulents.

How do you prepare couscous?

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