Place the oil and chicken in the water in a sauce pan and bring just to a boil. Add the green beans or peas and return, just, to a boil. Add the spice sack contents - be careful because sometimes it can bubble up and spill. Stir in the couscous. Cover tightly and remove from the hot burner. Let stand 5 minutes. <== Not any longer than five minutes; this is important. Fluff lightly with a fork and serve. If the couscous stands too long it becomes a solid mass and is difficult to fluff. You can fluff it and put the lid back on to keep it warm. For company I do everything in a saucepan up to the couscous part. I pour the hot liquid and chicken into a pretty casserole dish that has a cover, mix in the couscous and let it stand in that. This is also a good way to make a double recipe.

steep saffron threads in the hot water before adding the other ingredients. Add extra garlic - I like it sliced.