Preparation:
Cut up the vegetables into small (about 1/2 inch) cubes. Slice the mushrooms.
If using shrimp, peel and de-vein the shrimp and cut into small cubes.
In a small amount of olive oil, sauté the onion and the optional garlic until the onion is soft but not quite transparent.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet and add the vegetable and mushrooms. Sauté until the vegetables are almost soft. Taste and add salt, pepper and whatever spices strike your fancy (oregano, basil and red pepper are good). Add the scallops or shrimp and cook until just done, about a minute or two. Scallops will turn opaque and shrimp will turn pink. Do NOT overcook.
There should be an excess of oil and fluid. If not, add more oil and briefly heat. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the couscous and mix thoroughly. Chill several hours or overnight.
Stuff into the pita bread (maybe with some tomato) and serve.
NOTES:
* Pita-Seafood Salad Sandwiches -- This recipe is more of a formula than a recipe. It is excellent for a cool dinner in the summer (any time after February in Texas!) Yield: Serves 2-4.
* You could substitute almost any vegetable and crab or a firm fish. To use this for a picnic, don't stuff the pita bread until you are about to serve it. Err on the side of too much oil, since the couscous absorbs the oil (and a recent study says that olive oil may be good for you) |
