Couscous With Currants And Cumin Recipes

COUSCOUS WITH MOROCCAN SPICES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a non stick pan and cook the chopped onion and garlic in it till the onion is soft and translucent.
• Stir in the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne and paprika.
• Continue stirring over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then add vegetable broth, tomato puree and currants.
• Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from heat and stir in fresh lemon (or lime) juice to your taste.
• If not using immediately and planning to reheat before serving, wait to add citrus juice at the last minute.
• To cook the couscous, heat the broth, water, butter and salt together in a medium skillet till the liquid boils.
• Reduce to a simmer, add the couscous, cover the skillet tightly and leave on the lowest heat for 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat an leave it covered for another couple of minutes before fluffing with a fork.
• (If using instant couscous, check package directions - you may not need to keep it on heat after boiling, but just cover and wait till liquid is absorbed - just see if liquid amounts match what is mentioned on the package).

COUSCOUS WITH DRIED APRICOTS, CURRANTS, AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• In each of two 3-quart saucepans bring half of water, oil, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and apricots to a boil. Stir 1 box couscous into each pan and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to 2 shallow baking pans to cool as quickly as possible. Cool couscous completely and with your fingers break up any large lumps. Couscous may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring couscous to room temperature before proceeding.
• Fluff couscous with fork again and stir in currants, pistachios, mint, and salt and pepper to taste.

COUSCOUS WITH CURRANTS, ALMONDS, AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Check couscous package instructions to see how much boiling water you will need. Place couscous and currants in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over top, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove cover, add toasted almonds and parsley, and fluff with a fork until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve hot or at room temperature.

COUSCOUS WITH DRIED APRICOTS, CURRANTS, AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• In each of two 3-quart saucepans bring half of water, oil, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and apricots to a boil. Stir 1 box couscous into each pan and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to 2 shallow baking pans to cool as quickly as possible. Cool couscous completely and with your fingers break up any large lumps. Couscous may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring couscous to room temperature before proceeding.
• Fluff couscous with fork again and stir in currants, pistachios, mint, and salt and pepper to taste.

COUSCOUS WITH PINE NUTS AND CURRANTS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add chopped shallot and simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times.
• Add vegetable broth and bring to boil. Once boiling remove from heat and add couscous. Give it a quick stir and cover. Let it sit covered for 10 minutes.
• While it's sitting toast pine nuts. Put the pine nuts in a small pan and cook over low-medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, until the nuts are fragrant. Shake the pan around a few times too.
• Lastly, add the pine nuts and currants to the couscous and stir to combine everything.
• * TIP - You can buy the pine nuts and currants in the bulk section of Whole Foods or some supermarkets so that way you don't have to get more than need.

COUSCOUS WITH SAUTéED ALMONDS AND CURRANTS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the couscous, broth, paprika, cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rest for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.
• While the couscous is resting, heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer almonds and oil to a small bowl. Transfer fluffed couscous into a serving bowl and top with currants and the toasted almonds along with their oil.

SAFFRON COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Combine warm water and saffron together in a bowl.
• Mix couscous and vegetable broth together in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove saucepan from heat, cover saucepan, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a bowl.
• Stir saffron mixture, celery, currants, olive oil, lemon juice, harissa, cumin, and sea salt into couscous. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.