Turkey Cutlets with Vegetable Couscous

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. turkey cutlets
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp + 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small cucumber, peeled and cut into1/4-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp minced red onion
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat couscous

Makes 4 Servings

1. In a resealable bag, combine turkey, garlic, parsley, 1 tablespoon of the oil, lemon zest and pepper flakes; turn to coat well. Marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
2. While turkey is marinating, in a large bowl combine remaining 2 teaspoons oil, bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, vinegar and salt.
3. Prepare couscous according to package directions. Add hot couscous to vegetable mixture and stir well; keep warm.
4. Lightly coat a skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add turkey and marinade to the skillet and cook until cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Serve warm with vegetable couscous.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. This is a healthy and sophisticated version of chicken and rice. When I was a kid, I remember chicken and rice as a comfort dinner; the chicken was coated in bread crumbs, the rice was cooked and they were both drenched in store-bought chicken gravy served with a side of peas. Couscous is an alternative to rice and other grains and is usually made from a coarsely ground durum wheat called semolina. This chicken and rice dinner takes it to a whole new level. I loved how all the colorful vegetables mixed well with the couscous and the marinated turkey breast. It was sophisticated comfort food of the summer (so far). I was also craving garlic and I loved how the garlic, lemon zest, pepper flakes, oil and parsley marinated so well on the turkey. My mother wasn't crazy about this dish because she didn't like the couscous. I enjoyed this dish because it hit the spot and I would make this again (for myself).