Couscous With Fruit Recipes

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cranberries, apricots, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid until the couscous has absorbed all of the cooking liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Using a fork, fluff the couscous to break up any lumps. Add the almonds and hazelnuts and toss. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet until completely cooled, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the couscous to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
• Serving Suggestion: Drizzle the couscous with 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture.

COUSCOUS FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; saute onion and garlic until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add water to onion mixture and bring to a boil.
• Stir dates, cranberries, raisins, and peanuts into onion mixture and bring to a boil again. Add couscous and cilantro to dried fruit-onion mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover skillet, and simmer until water is mostly absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir mango into couscous mixture, return cover, and simmer until all the water is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 5 more minutes.

MOROCCAN SPICED COUSCOUS WITH FRUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F/200C/400°F Put the couscous in an ovenproof dish. Mix the stock, saffron, apricots, dates and raisins in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Pour the hot stock and fruit over the couscous. Add just enough boiling water to cover the grains, but do not flood them. Set aside for 15 minutes.
• Fluff up the couscous with a fork and season it with salt, pepper and chili powder to taste. Drizzle the lemon or olive oil and lemon juice over and add the chickpeas. Mix the ingredients well, then cover the dish.
• Bake the couscous for 15 minutes. Fluff up the grains, stir in the mint and coriander and return the couscous to the oven for a further 5 minutes. Meanwhile, dry fry the almonds in a heavy based frying pan over a moderate heat, turning or stirring frequently for 5 minutes until they are golden. Scatter almonds over the couscous and serve immediately.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUSCOUS WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add the raisins, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the couscous to the saucepan, along with the 2 cups of boiling water and the salt. Stir once with a fork, cover tightly, and remove from the heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir with a fork before serving to fluff the couscous and combine the other ingredients. (This recipe can be made up to a day ahead and reheated over very low heat or in a microwave oven.)

COUSCOUS WITH PISTACHIOS, APRICOTS AND CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Cook the couscous according to the package directions. Fluff the couscous and add it to a large bowl with the chopped fruit, pistachios and mint. To a small mason jar, add the olive oil, shallots, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, honey, and a few pinches of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Shake the dressing well and add more honey and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the coucous mixture, and stir to combine. The salad can be eaten warm or cold. If cold, allow 1-2 hours up to overnight in the refrigerator for the flavors to meld.