Time so as to add slightly pizzazz to your grain recreation! This fast and straightforward Moroccan Couscous recipe is a refreshing change of tempo from the usual facet.
Couscous is a wholesome, versatile facet you can serve with something from Roasted Broccolini to Grilled Cod or Chicken Kabobs.
- This traditional Moroccan-style couscous recipe cooks in quarter-hour (this Roasted Vegetable Salad is one other fast couscous recipe).
- A number of easy touches, like delicate spices, golden raisins, and pine nuts, make it style particular sufficient to serve at a vacation meal.
Considered one of my most vivid post-college reminiscences is of a pal cooking a Moroccan-themed dinner for an enormous group.
She piled spiced couscous excessive on a big platter, topped with the spiced Moroccan Meatballs and Oven Roasted Vegetables, and we ate it on the ground, scooping our servings from the communal plate (these have been the times!).
That meal made fairly the impression. I’ve been smitten with Moroccan-style meals and flavors ever since.
5 Star Evaluate
“Simply made this tonight. The meal was nearly as good as something present in a restaurant.”
— Peg —
What’s Couscous?
Couscous is a staple dish in lots of North African international locations together with Morocco, a rustic I dream of visiting in the future.
- Whereas it resembles a tiny grain of rice or quinoa, couscous is pasta.
- It’s made out of semolina (semolina is a flour made out of durum wheat and is utilized in most conventional sorts of pasta) and water.
As a result of it’s so small, couscous recipes cook dinner in a matter of minutes, making it a superb selection for a last-minute facet.
Because it cooks on the stovetop, it retains your oven free for different endeavors.
The way to Make a Moroccan Couscous Recipe
Happily, we don’t want to go to Morocco to take pleasure in a serving of couscous (or Crock Pot Moroccan Chicken).
This couscous recipe takes inspiration from Moroccan delicacies and components however is gentle sufficient to serve with all kinds of mains.
The Substances
- Couscous. Fast-cooking and engaging, I prefer to buy complete wheat couscous. Like different whole-grain choices, it’s increased in protein and fiber than its white counterparts. (Do this Avocado Couscous Grapefruit Salad subsequent.)
- Shallot. Beginning the recipe by sautéing a shallot provides the complete dish a extra sturdy, full taste.
- Golden Raisins. A preferred ingredient in Moroccan cooking, golden raisins (additionally on this Moroccan Chickpea Salad) give the couscous recipe bits of sweetness and make it extra texturally attention-grabbing.
- Pine Nuts. One other traditional ingredient in Moroccan delicacies, pine nuts add pops of nutty depth and crunch. (I additionally love pine nuts on this Slow Cooker Wild Rice Pilaf.)
- Lemon and Parsley. These two conventional Moroccan components give this straightforward couscous recipe freshness, coloration, and life.
- Cumin. Moroccan delicacies is particularly famend for its spices. This recipe retains the spices pretty gentle in order that the couscous pairs effectively with quite a lot of dishes. A contact of cumin is all you want.
The Instructions
- Toast the pine nuts in a skillet over low warmth.
Tip!
Watch them rigorously, as they burn simply.
- Sauté the shallots, add the spices, and pour within the broth. Convey the combination to a boil, then take away from the warmth.
- Add the couscous, cowl, and let it steam. Fluff the couscous with a fork and end by stirring within the mix-ins. ENJOY!
Storage Ideas
- To Retailer. Place leftover couscous in an hermetic storage container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a big skillet on the range over medium-low warmth. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors. It’s also possible to reheat this dish within the microwave.
- To Freeze. Let the couscous cool utterly, then retailer it in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
As much as 2 days forward of time, put together this couscous recipe as directed, cowl, and refrigerate it. Serve it heat or at room temperature.
Leftover Concepts
I usually serve this couscous heat, however I’ve additionally been identified to dig into leftovers chilly from the fridge. Serve a scoop over a mattress of greens with leftover sliced Grilled Chicken Breast or Baked Salmon in Foil.
What to Serve with this Couscous Recipe
Really useful Instruments to Make this Recipe
- Baking Sheets. These sizes are perfect for spreading out and toasting the nuts.
- Versatile Saucepan. This one is a really helpful measurement for cooking grains and with correct care can final a lifetime.
- Citrus Juicer. The BEST solution to juice any citrus fruit. You’ll be amazed how a lot juice it may possibly squeeze from each lemon.
The Greatest Saucepan
This All-Clad saucepan is made with a number of layers of stainless-steel and aluminum for high-quality sturdiness and even warmth distribution.
For a recipe that may shock and delight, all with little or no effort in your half, this Moroccan couscous recipe doesn’t disappoint.
If you happen to attempt it, please go away a remark and let me know what you suppose!
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Usually, pearl couscous must simmer and be cooked extra like common pasta noodles, (moderately than eradicating it from the warmth and leaving coated to steam). For greatest outcomes, seek the advice of the bundle course of your pearl couscous and adapt the cooking time and technique accordingly. For extra steering, see this Israeli Couscous Salad recipe.
Positive! Whereas I’ve not tried this personally, I think about it will be a scrumptious adaptation. Observe the cooking time and technique could have to be adjusted based mostly on the cooking instructions on your quinoa. If you happen to resolve to experiment, I’d love to listen to about your ends in the feedback.
So far as energy go, couscous and most styles of brown rice are pretty comparable. Each include related quantities of protein and fiber too. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re searching for a wholesome change of tempo out of your standard facet of brown rice, couscous is a superb various to attempt (as is Farro Risotto).
- 1/4 cup pine nuts or swap pistachios or slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter use coconut oil or vegan butter to make vegan
- 1 small shallot chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon floor cumin
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or hen broth
- 1 cup complete wheat couscous
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped contemporary parsley
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil use the great things right here!
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Preheat the oven to 350 levels F. Unfold the pine nuts in a single layer on an ungreased, rimmed baking sheet. Toast within the oven till aromatic and frivolously golden, 5 to 7 minutes, stirring as soon as midway via. Keep watch over them and DO NOT WALK AWAY throughout the previous few minutes to ensure these treasured pine nuts don’t burn. Instantly switch them to a bowl to cease their cooking and to ensure the recent pan would not burn them as soon as they’re out of the oven.
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In a big skillet, soften the butter over medium warmth. Add the shallots and cook dinner for 3 minutes, till they start to melt. Add the salt, pepper, and cumin and cook dinner for 30 seconds.
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Pour within the broth. Enhance the warmth to excessive and produce it to a boil. As quickly because the liquid begins to boil, take away the pan from the warmth. Stir within the couscous, cowl, and let sit for 10 minutes.
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With a fork, fluff up the couscous. Add the raisins, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, and toasted pine nuts to the pot, then stir the components collectively to mix. Style and modify seasoning as desired. Get pleasure from scorching.
- TO STORE: Place leftover couscous in an hermetic storage container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a big skillet on the range over medium-low warmth. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors. It’s also possible to reheat this dish within the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Let the couscous cool utterly, then retailer it in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container within the freezer for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1(of 6)Energy: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 7gFats: 11gSaturated Fats: 3gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 10mgPotassium: 130mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 331IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 2mg
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