Lemony Mint Couscous with Chickpea and Edamame

Side dishes are kind of an after thought around here...I tend to focus more on the main dish and then throw some greens on the side because Im just hungry and want to put food in my mouth asap! However, today I thought I would dedicate a bit more thought on a side dish that is extremely simple to put together and can easily be adapted. I used canned chickpeas, shelled edamame, (don't you love those crunchy little green gems?) mint and lemon juice. How easy is that? I actually liked this couscous better cold, right out of the fridge. Mmm, boy was it good. The mint and tiny lemony couscous balls are so light and fluffy they dance on your tongue. This one is definitely being added to the rotation. What's your go-to side dish?

Lemony Mint Couscous with Chickpea and Edamame

1 box of instant couscous prepared according to package directions, I used Near East brand

1/2 can chickpeas

2 lemon

Edamame, shelled

Couple leaves of mint

salt 'n' peppa

1 Prepare couscous according to package directions. Pour into large bowl.

2 In a separate bowl, combine juice of one lemon with the chickpeas and mix together.

Season with salt and pepper.

3 Mix the lemony chickpeas with couscous, then add the edamame.

4 Slice some mint leaves up and throw into couscous mixture and combine.

5 Juice second lemon on top of the whole salad and combine throughout.

Thrifty note:

I bought a set of these rich brown lacquer bowls yesterday seen in the picture above.

I love the cascading pattern on the edges of the bowls. What I also liked was that every

bowl was different and had a unique mark by the artist. This way, I know that it was not

manufactured, but rather handmade.

Here is a somewhat better shot of the colored edge of the bowls.

Also, a big shout out to peachkins for

giving me such a sweet award!

Thank you, peachkins!

Go and check out her lovely blog!

Oh, and don't forget to submit for BSI: Feta.

Deadline is Sunday, July 12.

Thrift finds of the week

Porcelain short pitcher — This would be nice for iced tea, a vase for a flower bouquet, or just as is! $1.91

Leather purse — Does anyone know whose brand that is on the purse? It looked like a quality leather purse because it was leather on the inside as well as the outside. It looks almost new and had no damage. I think it's so charming. $3.00

Blue plates — I have a sweet spot for anything blue, so it was too hard for me to pass these plates up! Especially when they were $1 each

DIY: Ribbon Frame

When I moved into my apartment, my walls were bare. And well, its been over a year...and most are still bare!  I'm slow. Verrry slow. I don't think I could ever decorate and furnish my home in one week flat like some people can. I like to take my time and find unique things as I go. This ribbon frame in my bedroom is the first DIY project I did, even before the pillows. My bedroom is black and white so I decided to add some some drama to the wall above my bed. I chose two of my favorite photographs I did from my summer semester in Italy (sigh...how I miss thee!) and hung them side by side. I found black frames with white matting and black ribbon from wal-mart. For this DIY project, any color goes! Don't be afraid to use any pops of color for your walls.

Ribbon Frame

any color ribbon

frame with hinges on the back

scissors

nail, hammer

1 Turn the frame over, back facing up. Pull one end of the ribbon through the first hinge, and then through the second, making a horizontal line across the back.

2 Turn frame over and pull the ribbon end up to desired length, leaving room for a bow (don't cut the ribbon yet)

3 Tie a bow with the other ribbon end (still attached to spool)

4 Diagonally cut second ribbon at desired length after bow is tied

5 Securely place your photograph into your frame and hang! 

You might need to adjust the bow after it is hung so the nail will not show.

What is this?

I don't know either. I found it at Goodwill and for some reason felt the need to have it. I loved the rose-top and the subtle design on the front of the glass.

The back had a sticker for "Lady Primrose." I had a feeling it was for the bathroom and when I looked up the name online, I was right! Lady Primrose turns out to have beautiful perfume, lotions, and powder glass bottles that have a vintage glamorous feel to them. I think im going to use it as a cotton ball jar in my bathroom. How sweet!