Best Curried Couscous Recipes

CURRIED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place the couscous in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in the boiling water and pour over the couscous. Cover tightly and allow the couscous to soak for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, curry, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Pour over the fluffed couscous, and mix well with a fork. Add the carrots, parsley, currants, almonds, scallions, and red onions, mix well, and season to taste. Serve at room temperature.

CURRIED COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED SWEET CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Stir the couscous, cranberries, curry powder, salt, and sugar together in a heatproof bowl. Bring water (amount will be listed on package directions) to a boil and pour it over the couscous. Add the orange juice. Give it a big stir, cover the bowl tightly and let it stand, giving it a big stir once or twice, until the water is absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Fluff up the couscous with a fork. Add the olive oil, scallions, parsley, lemon juice, and walnuts. Stir around until everything is distributed evenly throughout the couscous. Make up to 2 hours ahead of time and keep at room temperature until you're ready to serve. Check the seasonings just before you serve the salad and add salt and pepper, to taste.
• Note: To toast the walnuts, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree F oven until they turn a shade darker, about 8 minutes.

MOROCCAN BEEF KEBABS WITH CURRIED COUSCOUS, RAITA AND CHARMOULA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the couscous: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.Place the water in an ovenproof casserole. Whisk the curry, salt pepper into the water. Whisk the couscous into the water. Let the couscous stand for 10 minutes to absorb the water.
• Pour half of the olive oil into the couscous. Work the olive oil into the couscous by hand, rubbing the kernels to fluff the couscous break up any clumps, making sure that the couscous is evenly coated with the oil. Place the casserole into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove the casserole from the oven and pour the rest of the oil into the couscous. By hand or with a spoon, work the oil through the couscous, breaking up any clumps.
• For the raita: Place the yogurt, mint, cumin, salt and cucumbers in a bowl and stir to combine. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Refrigerate until time to use.
• For the vinaigrette: Place the oil, lemon juice, cilantro, parsley, garlic, cumin, paprika and cayenne in a bowl and stir to combine. Season the charmoula with salt and pepper.
• For the kebabs: Combine the beef, onions, powdered milk, cilantro, mint, ginger, cayenne, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine. Divide the mixture into 8 balls. Form each ball into a kebab cylinder about 3 inches long. Refrigerate the kebabs until ready to grill.
• In the meantime soak, wooden skewers in water. Heat the grill to high heat. Insert the skewers into the kebabs. Brush the kebabs with olive oil and grill until they are cooked, 34 minutes per side.
• To complete the dish, place a mound of couscous on a serving plate for each person. Place 2 kebabs on each plate. Garnish the plate with the raita and drizzle the charmoula on the kebabs. Serve with warm pita bread.

CURRIED COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cauliflower: Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet liberally with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, toss the cauliflower and olive oil together until coated. Put in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast until golden and tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
• Salad: In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth, curry powder and salt to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the pot and allow the couscous to absorb the liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork and transfer it to a large serving bowl. Stir in the cooked cauliflower, cranberries, cashews, cucumber, parsley, and lemon zest. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, olive oil and curry powder until smooth. Whisk in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Just before serving, add the dressing to the salad and toss well to coat.

CURRIED COUSCOUS WITH SPINACH AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, sun-dried tomato, dill, and garlic; cook and stir until onions start to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in spinach, increase heat to medium high, and cook until spinach begins to wilt, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Pour in sherry and cook until most liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder, cayenne pepper, chickpeas, and 1 cup of the vegetable broth; cook for about 5 minutes. Add remaining broth and bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in couscous, and cover until couscous absorbs all the liquid, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt.

CURRIED COUSCOUS WITH CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cook onion in 2 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes, then reserve in skillet.
• Meanwhile, pat chicken slices dry and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chicken in 2 batches, turning occasionally, until just cooked through and golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per batch, transferring chicken to a plate with tongs.
• Reduce heat to moderate and add 1 tablespoon butter, then cook zucchini with 1/8 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper, stirring frequently, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to plate with chicken and loosely cover with foil.
• Add garlic along with half of reserved onion to larger skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon curry powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in 1 cup broth and bring to a boil, then boil until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add cream and boil sauce, stirring occasionally, until just thick enough to coat back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. Set sauce aside in skillet.
• Reheat remaining onion in 10-inch skillet over moderate heat, then add remaining teaspoon curry powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon butter and remaining 1 1/4 cups broth, then bring to a boil. Stir in couscous and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, then cover tightly and let stand off heat 5 minutes. Cut remaining 2 tablespoons butter into small pieces and stir into couscous. Let stand, covered, 1 minute.
• While couscous is standing, add chicken and zucchini to sauce along with any juices accumulated on plate and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon cilantro.
• Fluff couscous with a fork to break up any lumps, then stir in remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with lime wedges.

CURRIED COUSCOUS AND GARBANZO BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Stir curry powder in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until fragrant and toasted, about 1 minute. Mix in 2 1/4 cups water and salt. Add vegetables. Bring to boil; cover and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Mix in couscous. Cover and let stand until couscous softens, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer couscous to large bowl. Mix in garbanzos, oil, vinegar, and ginger. Cool to room temperature. Add feta and green onions; toss. Season with salt and pepper.

ONE-POT CURRIED CAULIFLOWER WITH COUSCOUS AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium. Add cauliflower and cook, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to brown and soften, 5-8 minutes. Add onion, garlic, and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and cook, stirring, until onion and cauliflower are cooked through, 5-7 minutes more. Add curry powder, salt, and cumin. Cook, stirring, until spices are toasted, about 30 seconds.
• Add broth and bring to a boil. Add chickpeas, couscous, and lentils, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally to avoid couscous from sticking, until couscous and lentils are cooked through and liquid is almost completely reduced to a thick sauce, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, juice 1 lime to yield 3 Tbsp. juice. Whisk lime juice, yogurt, and 3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro in a medium bowl until smooth. Add water by the tablespoonful until sauce is thin enough to drizzle. Cut remaining lime into wedges.
• Fold spinach into chickpea mixture. Top with cilantro leaves and almonds, if using, and serve yogurt sauce and lime wedges alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Stew (without spinach) can be made 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Reheat and fold in spinach before serving.

CURRIED RED LENTIL KOHLRABI, AND COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk white wine vinegar, curry powder,and pressed garlic in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Cook lentils and kohlrabi leaves in heavy large saucepan of boiling salted water until lentils are barely tender but not too soft, about 6 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water to cool. Drain again.
• Bring 1 1/4 cups water to boil in same saucepan; remove from heat. Add 3 tablespoons dressing, sprinkle with salt, then stir in couscous. Cover pot and let stand 5 minutes. Transfer couscous to medium bowl. Fluff couscous with fork to separate grains and cool slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, transfer lentils to large bowl. Add 1/2 cup dressing, diced kohlrabi bulb, and chopped green onions; toss to coat. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
• Arrange baby spinach leaves over large rimmed platter. Drizzle spinach with 2 to 3 tablespoons remaining dressing. Sprinkle spinach leaves with salt and pepper. Mound lentil mixture in center of platter over spinach leaves. Stir mint into couscous. Spoon couscous around lentils and serve with remaining dressing.

CURRIED ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, bouillon cubes, curry powder, and oregano. Cook, breaking up bouillon cubes, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add couscous and mix thoroughly.
• Add water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring frequently, until couscous is soft, 8 to 10 minutes.

CURRIED COUSCOUS WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• In a large pot, cook onion, red pepper and garlic in the olive oil over medium low heat until soft, about 7 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, chickpeas, peas, corn and spices and continue to cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
• Add broth, increase heat and bring to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover, remove from heat and let sit for 6 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork and serve immediately or pack for tomorrow's lunch!

GRILLED MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH CURRIED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For harissa:
• Toast caraway, coriander, and cumin seeds in medium skillet over medium heat until slightly darker in color, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Grind cooled spices and dried crushed red pepper in mortar with pestle or spice grinder to fine powder. Add oil and garlic; grind to smooth paste. Stir in paprika and salt. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For chicken and dressing:
• Whisk 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon harissa, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and lime peel in small bowl. Rub mixture over all sides of chicken pieces. Place chicken in 11x7x2-inch glass baking dish. Cover and marinate overnight.
• Whisk remaining 1/2 cup oil, 3 tablespoons lime juice, and pinch of sugar in medium bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat barbecue (medium-low heat). Grill chicken until cooked through, turning and repositioning occasionally for even cooking, about 45 minutes total. Let stand at room temperature.
• For couscous:
• Bring chicken broth and curry powder to boil in heavy small saucepan. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork and transfer to platter. Place chicken atop couscous. Serve, passing dressing and remaining harissa alongside.

CURRIED COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES, PEACH CHUTNEY, AND CILANTRO YOGURT

Steps:

• For yogurt:
• Combine cilantro, lime juice, and salt in processor; blend to coarse puree. Transfer to medium bowl; mix in yogurt and sour cream. Season with pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For vegetables:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 2 large baking sheets with nonstick spray. Mound eggplant cubes on 1 sheet; drizzle with 4 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Spread out evenly. Mound zucchini on second sheet; drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Spread out evenly. Roast eggplant and zucchini until golden and tender, turning occasionally with spatula, about 25 minutes for zucchini and 50 minutes for eggplant. Transfer vegetables to bowl and cool.
• Meanwhile, char peppers directly over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed peppers. Cut 2 peppers into 1-inch pieces. Thinly slice remaining pepper and reserve for garnish.
• For couscous:
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté until soft, about 6 minutes. Mix in curry powder; stir 1 minute. Add 3 cups water; bring to simmer. Cover; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer curry water 10 minutes.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large pot. Add couscous and stir constantly until color darkens and couscous is toasted, about 3 minutes. Mix in hot curry water. Turn off heat, cover pot, and let stand until couscous is tender and curry water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork to separate grains. Mix in cashews and currants and cool completely. Mix in eggplant, zucchini, and bell pepper pieces. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.
• Mound salad on large platter; garnish with reserved bell pepper slices. Serve with cilantro yogurt and chutney.

CURRIED COCONUT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In 2-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and gingerroot; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Stir in broth, coconut milk, curry powder, salt and red pepper. Heat to boiling. Stir in couscous and raisins. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 5 minutes. Uncover; fluff with fork.

CURRIED ROASTED VEGETABLE AND COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the carrots and cauliflower with 3 tablespoons of the oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Combine the curry powder, 1/4 teaspoon each of the coriander and cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper and sprinkle over the vegetables. Spread in a single layer and roast, stirring once or twice, until crisp-tender and lightly charred in spots, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly.
• Bring 2/3 cup water to a boil. Add the couscous, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each coriander and cumin, and a pinch of salt. Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes.
• Stir together the yogurt, 1/4 cup water, lime juice, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Mix the roasted vegetables with the couscous. Drizzle in half the dressing and toss to coat. Toss the greens in the remaining dressing with salt to taste and put on top of the couscous mixture.

CURRIED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring the butter, broth, and 1/3 cup water to boil in a medium saucepan.
• Gradually stir in the curry powder, allspice and couscous.
• Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Fluff couscous with a fork.

CURRIED COUSCOUS AND CHICKEN SALAD.

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth to a boil in microwave or saucepan.
• Combine couscous, raisins, and curry powder in a medium bowl. Stir in broth, cover and let stand 5 minutes.
• Fluff couscous with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
• In a large bowl mix mayonnaise, ginger, and lemon juice. Add chicken, celery, green onions, almonds, and cooled couscous mixture. Toss gently. Fold in grapes and parsley. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

CURRIED BRAISED LAMB SHANK WITH THREE ONION COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Season the shanks well with salt and pepper. Mix flour with curry, chili, fennel, and coriander. Completely coat shanks in mix. In a hot casserole lightly coated with canola oil, sear shanks and color on all sides. Set shanks aside and wipe out casserole. Saute onions, celery, carrots, garlic and ginger until soft. Season with salt and pepper. Deglaze casserole with red wine and reduce by half. Stir in thyme. Add soy sauce, banana, kaffir lime and chilies. Add shanks and completely cover with water. Check for seasoning. Slowly bring to a boil then cover tightly with foil or lid. Roast in a 325 degree oven (at a simmer) for at least 3 hours. The meat should fall off of the bone. Remove shanks and reduce sauce until thickened slightly. Remove kaffir lime leaves and puree sauce using a hand blender. Check again for seasoning.
• THREE ONION COUSCOUS: In a hot saute pan, add canola oil and caramelize onions with the scallions. Season. Remove to a large bowl. Add olive oil, currants and couscous. Boil water and add exactly 6 cups to bowl and quickly stir together. Immediately cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let stand 30 minutes. With a fork, fluff couscous and check for seasoning.

CURRIED COUSCOUS WITH BROCCOLI AND FETA (AND CASHEWS!)

Steps:

• Bring 1 3/4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; gradually stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• While couscous stands, steam broccoli florets, covered, for 3 minutes or until tender.
• Combine couscous, broccoli, onion, and next 10 ingredients (onion through chickpeas), tossing gently. Sprinkle with cheese.

CURRIED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Pour couscous in a large bowl, melt butter in the boiling water and pour over couscous.
• Cover tightly and set aside for 5 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, curry powder, turmeric, salt and pepper.
• Fluff the couscous with a fork and pour the curry mixture on top, mixing well.
• Add the carrots, parsley, currants, almonds, scallions, and red onions.
• Mix well and adjust seasonings.
• Serve at room temperature.