Best Breakfast Couscous With Dried Fruit Compote Recipes

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.)

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, simmer together port wine and sugar over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add dried fruit and dried cranberries. Bring mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Serve over frozen yogurt and garnish with toasted slivered almonds.

SWEET DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups of the water with the dried fruit in a large bowl. Let soak for 1 hour.
• In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 2 cups of water, orange juice, sugar, and lemon zest over medium-high heat. Add the fruit and the soaking liquid to the pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cinnamon and clove. Simmer 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has softened and the mixture has thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Serve warm or cold.
• Cook's Note: If using store bought dried fruit, chop the pieces into 1/2-inch chunks and simmer the mixture an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

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.

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine the prunes, apricots, cherries, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and salt in a saucepan and add water to cover. Soak overnight, if possible, or for a few hours before cooking.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and gently simmer for about 1 hour, until the fruit is very, very soft and the liquid is syrupy. Stir in the lemon juice and remove from the heat. Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks.
• Goes with Best Oatmeal Ever (page 128), Creamy Millet (page 136), and Creamiest Buckwheat (page 138).
• You can use dried apples, pears, figs, or any combination of dried fruit to equal 3 cups.
• The compote is a versatile condiment that crosses culinary boundaries and can be used on both sweet and savory dishes. Stir it into yogurt, spoon it alongside a sweet potato, or serve it atop oatmeal. You can even use it like jam: spread a dollop on a piece of toast with almond butter.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 days or in the freezer for 2 months.
• (per serving)
• Calories: 303
• Total Fat: 0g (0g saturated, 0g monounsaturated)
• Carbohydrates: 70g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sodium: 85mg

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Simmer the fruit in water to cover for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until soft. Remove to a bowl and reduce liquid in saucepan to half a cup.
• Add the orange and lemon peel, honey and orange juice. Stir until honey has melted, correct sweetening and pour the mixture over the fruit. Leave at room temperature.
• Just before serving, sprinkle the fruit with the almonds. Serve the creme fraiche separately.

FRUIT AND YOGURT BREAKFAST COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Set aside two bowls and divide the dry couscous between them (pouring half in each).
• If using dried fruit, set aside a third bowl and fill with the fruit.
• Add the water and 1 tbsp honey to a small saucepan. Bring the water to a boil and pour 1/2 cup boiling water over each bowl of couscous. Pour the remaining water over the dried fruit (this will allow the fruit to plump and become tender and even more delicious).
• Cover each bowl of couscous and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the water has been fully absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
• Drain the water from the bowl of fruit. Add half the yogurt to each bowl. Divide the fruit in half between the bowls. Divide the chopped almonds between the bowls. Drizzle each bowl with 1 tbsp honey. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp cinnamon on each bowl. Mix, if desired. Enjoy, it's delicious!
• Notes: I love a combination of dried fruit with this dish. I have used dried apricots, pears, cherries, raisins, blueberries, goji berries, currents and dates (not all at once, but hey why not?). Raisins are by far the easiest as they are a staple in many kitchens (and they're great in this dish).
• Notes (for serving an adult and a young child): Divide the dry couscous between two bowls: 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup. Make sure to chop the dried fruit into bite-sized pieces. When dividing the water between the bowls, add 5-oz boiling water to the adult portion and 3-oz to the child portion (using a measuring cup makes this easy). Skip the nuts if your child hasn't been introduced to them yet or if the pieces are large enough to present a choking hazard. Also, make sure your child has gotten an OK from the doctor to eat honey (typically given at 1 year).

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put the dried fruit into a small pan with the cinnamon and apple juice, give everything a stir then simmer for 5 mins until the apple juice is syrupy. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Divide the yogurt between 4 bowls then top with the compote and granola.

HOT BREAKFAST COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, honey and cinnamon. As soon as it comes to a boil, stir in the couscous. Turn off the heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the apricots, raisins and almonds.

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE WITH FRESH APPLE AND PEAR

Steps:

• Cut large pieces of dried fruit into smaller pieces.
• Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow fruit to steep for 30 minutes or longer. Remove cinnamon stick and orange and lemon zest. Serve topped with whipped cream or yogurt if desired, or stir into your morning yogurt.