Tag Archives: Couscous

The Field of Crosses { Calgary, Alberta }

The following is an excerpt from a post I made one year ago… The Field of Crosses “As my daughter quietly steered our vehicle home along Memorial Drive and the banks of the Bow River, we saw floodlights shining in the distance and the figures of people, photographers took shape and appeared out of the darkness….

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TessaNovember 11, 2012 - 4:52 pm

Lovely post and beautiful dish.

TasteFoodNovember 11, 2012 - 5:02 pm

I call it Israeli Couscous – which is another way of showing that we are all one and the same. Lovely post.

ClanmotherNovember 11, 2012 - 5:07 pm

Thank you for your lovely tribute…”The larks, still bravely singing, fly…Scarce heard amid the guns below…”

vivekaNovember 11, 2012 - 5:17 pm

Have visit quite a few of the war cemeteries in Normandy, France .. far too many of them.
And still every day men and women die for wars that isn’t even theirs. A beautiful tribute.
Love the photos – very respectfully.

I will do you’re couscous this week coming – and add some chicken to it. Will come back with verdict.

annashortcakesNovember 11, 2012 - 5:29 pm

This looks lovely! I can’t wait to try this! Your photography is fantastic too.

Choc Chip UruNovember 11, 2012 - 5:38 pm

Lovely heartfelt post my friend. Thank you.

Hugs
Uru

richardmcgaryNovember 11, 2012 - 5:54 pm

Very lovely post. Thanks.

sallybrNovember 11, 2012 - 6:09 pm

Beautiful tribute, touching photos, and a great recipe to tie it all together “a la Smidge” ;-)

I am also fascinated by different ingredients, and methods of cooking – sometimes I fall on foreign blogs and do my best to extract the “essence” using google translate – not easy, but it does give a tiny window to peek into a different world. Still, so many bloggers all over the world blog in English, those who speak the language are very luck! ;-)

Salish Sea PlayersNovember 11, 2012 - 6:50 pm

Beautiful tribute, beautiful photos, lovely recipe. Thank you!
Linda

Profiteroles & PonytailsNovember 11, 2012 - 7:35 pm

We are very fortunate indeed Barb. We had our minute of silence with the girls and paid tribute all who lost their lives all those years ago…. Just love israeli coucous and your salad looks full of flavour. Lovely post.

ChgoJohnNovember 11, 2012 - 7:43 pm

A beautiful post, Barb, and heartfelt tribute. We owe so much to the generations that fought before us. Imagine the World had they failed.
This time of year, there aren’t many salads that appeal to me — the veggies just aren’t at their peak anymore. This one, though, is perfect. The flavors are bright and the salad colorful — just what’s needed on these now gray-skied days.

hotlyspicedNovember 11, 2012 - 7:55 pm

That’s a lovely tribute Smidge and so true! I love that kind of couscous and with the ingredients you’ve put with it, it looks very pretty xx

KristyNovember 11, 2012 - 8:02 pm

Beautiful post Smidge. You have such a way with words – which is especially difficult when sometimes it seems as though words are not enough, yet you find a way. You have a gift.

EhaNovember 11, 2012 - 8:30 pm

Am an army brat, born and bred . . .veneration of those who paid the price was ingrained with baby milk . . .beautiful remembrance photos . . . I too am used yo calling this Israeli couscous: we speak of the same – beautiful recipe!

musingmarNovember 11, 2012 - 9:47 pm

The field of crosses is so moving. Lest we forget.

The salad you posted is lovely and sounds delicious.

mjskitNovember 11, 2012 - 10:01 pm

Very nice post. Thanks!

susielindauNovember 11, 2012 - 10:05 pm

Such a great reminder and the dish looks so tasty!

Bam's KitchenNovember 11, 2012 - 11:42 pm

Thanks for the lovely tribute Barbara! The veggies at the market have been looking very sad and dismal as they are no longer in season. So this is a great way to have a salad in the winter. Take care, BAM

thecompletecookbookNovember 12, 2012 - 12:20 am

A beautiful tribute Smidge! I have only ever used the small grain couscous – I will definitely be looking out for this big ball variety.
:-) Mandy

Food,Photography & FranceNovember 12, 2012 - 12:39 am

There is tiny country cemetery near Godalming in Surrey, England which is filled with Canadian war dead from WWII. I know it because my Godparents are buried there, overlooking the cottage that they lived in. Remembrance Sunday is made even sadder by the continual addition of wounded young men to the procession of old soldiers remembering wars which have taught us nothing.

Just Add AttitudeNovember 12, 2012 - 12:45 am

Very moving words. There is something about seeing fields filled white crosses (I have seen them in France) that really, really gives pause for thought and reflection. xx

niasunsetNovember 12, 2012 - 12:49 am

Wonderful and meaningful post dear Barbara, I am impressed so much. And your recipe and photographs are amazing too. Thank you, love, nia

Eva TaylorNovember 12, 2012 - 4:15 am

I just love the texture of the large pearl couscous. Such a fresh and lovely recipe.
The photo of the crosses is humbling; we are indeed very fortunate to live in such a generous and wonderful country.

ValNovember 12, 2012 - 4:24 am

Lovely post Smidge.
In the past have tried and failed to locate giant couscous, but I imagine plain cous cous or orzo pasta would work well with this recipe also.

gastrogardenerNovember 12, 2012 - 5:05 am

A lovely post, and remembrence. The salad is attractive as well. I love salads like these in the warmer weather.

saffronandhoneyNovember 12, 2012 - 5:53 am

What a lovely colorful salad!

Carolyn ChanNovember 12, 2012 - 6:53 am

Beautiful post Smidge.

SarahNovember 12, 2012 - 9:21 am

One of the reason I love all the bloggers is that they’re so willing to share things from their world. I’m SO grateful for that. It’s a great way to travel when, well, you can’t travel. I’m so excited about this recipe – one, because I’m desperate for some new things to have for lunch, two because it’s couscous and I’ve never tried it (shameful) and three, because of its ethnicity. I just love trying new things from new places! Thanks, Smidge :)

What a beautiful post my dear.

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 10:37 am

When googling to get a better handle on this Couscous, it was referred to as a pasta. I think the orzo would be amazing and would have the right “weight” to support the tomatoes and olives:)xx

BrittanyNovember 12, 2012 - 11:00 am

That field of crosses is gorgeous. What a place to stumble upon. Your photographs capture it perfectly. And this recipe? Oh boy..you had me at cous cous. YUM!

HetterbellNovember 12, 2012 - 12:00 pm

A very touching and poignant post. xx

yummychunkletNovember 12, 2012 - 1:43 pm

Wonderful tribute post.

spreeNovember 12, 2012 - 3:01 pm

Smidge, you touched me deeply with this one. And your field of poppies couldn’t be more perfect I think. Nothing but goodness. So grateful for you I am. xx

RuthNovember 12, 2012 - 3:54 pm

What beautiful and symbolic colors. The tomatoes do remind me of the red poppies people wear on Veteran’s Day. It’s mind boggling to see a peaceful field(s) of flowers and imagine the horrors that took place there. Here’s to the veterans of our countries!

acanadianfoodieNovember 12, 2012 - 6:34 pm

Does this every look absolutely delicious! What a compelling read! Good luck with the Canadian Blogger contest!!
:)
V

Three Well BeingsNovember 12, 2012 - 10:29 pm

I think I would just dissolve in tears if I came upon the field of crosses! How do we ever comprehend the sacrifice of so many. Thank you so much for sharing this. And the couscous recipe is particularly nice, too. I do love couscous and could use a good recipe! :-)

under the skies of arkansasNovember 12, 2012 - 10:52 pm

a humble dish for a humble post

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:06 pm

Now chicken would be a great addition.. thank you for stopping by, as always. xx

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:07 pm

I love Google Translate.. I rely on it, even though I believe it does wonky things to semantics.. it’s fun to use:)

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:07 pm

Thank you, Barb xx

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:08 pm

I hope you like it as much as we did. We’ve had a fair bit of sun recently, I will try to send some your way!!

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:09 pm

My husband often refers to himself as a navy brat.. thank you for stopping here. xx

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:10 pm

*sigh.. I miss those summer markets.. You take care as well! xx

TandyNovember 12, 2012 - 11:10 pm

I want to dig my spoon into the screen! It looks scrumptious :)

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:10 pm

That is truly heartbreaking…

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:12 pm

I hope you like it, Sarah.. I think many different ingredients could be added to it..

Barbara Bamber | justasmidgenNovember 12, 2012 - 11:12 pm

As I you.. xx

vivekaNovember 13, 2012 - 3:26 am

Will do it this weekend coming … *smile If I can find the right couscous!

Norma ChangNovember 13, 2012 - 5:56 am

Such a colorful dish, it just brightened our rainy, dreary morning. Never worked with Lebanese Couscous, need to get some, I could have a bowl of the salad right now.

The Scrumptious PumpkinNovember 13, 2012 - 9:37 am

This couscous salad looks so tasty! I love couscous (all forms of it!) and all the fresh herbs in this salad sound so delicious with it, especially with the light lemon dressing :)

EverydayMavenNovember 13, 2012 - 9:53 am

Wow, that is beautiful. I have seen similar fields near D.C and Virginia but never that close.

squishymonsterNovember 13, 2012 - 4:12 pm

This is such a beautiful post with a beautiful dish to tie it all together =)

Maureen | Orgasmic ChefNovember 13, 2012 - 5:02 pm

Beautiful post and I’ve got all the ingredients in my pantry, including moghrabieh so I’m making this today. It’s perfect.

helene dsouzaNovember 14, 2012 - 1:13 am

Indeed a breathtaking view, shocking in the same time…
It seems like ages ago, but then the last war is still in the air some parts of the world.

The couscous in Lebanon is so huge, like the one from Israel. I have never cooked or indulged in this type, we are used to the small Moroccan type.

I agree, we can estimate ourselves lucky to live in a almost peaceful century, in a world where we can share and communicate with each other, nearly without borders.

BluejellybeansNovember 14, 2012 - 1:45 am

A beautiful post Barbara. Let’s not forget :)

Geni - Sweet and CrumbyNovember 14, 2012 - 11:42 am

What a beautiful, vibrant and healthful dish Barb. What a striking and sad photo. Thank you for helping us to remember and find grace and humility when thinking of our fallen soldiers.

Promenade ClaireNovember 14, 2012 - 3:01 pm

I haven’t come across this kind of couscous before, I’ll have to keep an eye out for it
And a lovely set of photos and gentle words, a good reminder to us all Smidge

My Italian SmörgåsbordNovember 17, 2012 - 12:39 pm

touching. and regarding the food… this looks so delicious and healthy! I love Libanese cooking and this dish sounds just made for my tastebuds. thank you for sharing!

rsmacaalayNovember 18, 2012 - 11:46 pm

Thats a nice salad, I need to buy those type couscous. Looks so delicious!

marisaporterNovember 19, 2012 - 8:53 pm

Seriously I need to eat everything on your site.
http://wearyourvitamins.com

Jed Gray (sportsglutton)November 21, 2012 - 12:38 pm

As a historian I never forget….wonderful post.

petit4chocolatierNovember 22, 2012 - 8:00 pm

Barbara, this is a beautiful tribute!! Very moving.

Your couscous looks delicious. I love the recipe!!

Zen and GenkiNovember 30, 2012 - 11:37 am

Beautiful, beautiful post. Thank you for sharing!

[...] About 8 weeks ago Barbara@ justasmidgen posted this fantastic recipe – on Remembrance Day, 11-11, “Vegan Lebanese Couscous with Roasted Tomatoes and Olives” [...]

ambrosianaDecember 24, 2012 - 6:55 am

That is a very tasty couscous recipe!!!

[...] about 3 hours out in ambient temperature. For the couscous I decide to got back to Barbara’s – Lebanese Couscous (borrowed) – that I really like, but didn’t have all the [...]

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