Spicy Garlic Squid with Spinach and Whole-Wheat Couscous
Tender squid rings quick-seared with garlic and red pepper flakes, served over light whole-wheat couscous and wilted spinach. A vibrant 13-minute skillet meal delivering over 35g of high-quality protein.
Prep
5 min
Cook
8 min
Total
13 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Becky + Lila
Becky created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
5 min
Cook
8 min
Total
13 min
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Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
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Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
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Ingredients
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Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Pour 0
- 01
Pour 0
Pour 0.25 cup (60ml) of boiling water over 0.25 cup of whole-wheat couscous in a heatproof bowl, cover tightly with a plate, and let steam undisturbed for 5 minutes until tender.
Look for: tender
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in…
Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute until shimmering.
Look for: shimmering
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 0
Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 0.5 tsp of red pepper flakes to the hot oil, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add 0
Add 0.5 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 2 cups of fresh spinach to the skillet, tossing for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts down completely.
Look for: the spinach wilts down completely
Tap card to mark done - 05
Transfer the cooked veggies to the bowl…
Transfer the cooked veggies to the bowl of fluffed couscous.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Increase the skillet heat to high
Increase the skillet heat to high, add 180g of patted-dry squid rings, and sear without moving for 1 minute until opaque.
Look for: opaque
Tap card to mark done - 07
Stir the squid quickly for another 1…
Stir the squid quickly for another 1 minute until cooked through, then remove from heat immediately and squeeze 1 tbsp of lemon juice over top.
Look for: cooked through, then remove from heat immediately and squeeze 1 tbsp of lemon juice over top
Tap card to mark done - 08
Spoon the spicy garlic squid over the…
Spoon the spicy garlic squid over the couscous and vegetable base to serve warm.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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