WARM COUSCOUS AND BROCCOLI SALAD

Steps:

• Place bacon on a broiler pan and cook in a preheated 350 degree oven until crispy.
• Watch it closely as toward the end it will cook very quickly.
• (This keeps the bacon from shriveling and the drippings drain into the pan.) Save the drippings!
• Cut broccoli flowerttes from head, peel and dice up stems (and if you have been throwing away the stems all this time, shame on you! They are the best part!).
• Blanch broccoli and matchsticked carrots in boiling water for just a few minutes (you will see the color change) Cool under cold water to stop the cooking.
• Chop broccoli and stems into small bite sized pieces, (about 1/4 inch) A few pulses in a food proccessor does it about right but do not chop it to a pulp.
• In a small saucepan bring the chicken stock to a boil.
• If you wish you can add some olive oil to the water and some herbs to the stock to give some additional flavor.
• add the couscous and remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand 5 minutes.
• Layer carrots, onions, crumbled bacon, and chopped broccoli in a bowl.
• Top with hot couscous.
• Drizzle hot bacon drippings over the couscous and toss to mix.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• If you need to microwave the salad for a couple of minutes to warm it up before serving.