Best Middle Eastern Couscous With Dried Fruit Recipes

Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Time 14m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
2 1/2 cups (about 1 pound) couscous
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted slivered almonds
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, if desired

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.

Moroccan Sweet Couscous image

Provided by Dreamer in Ontario

Categories Dessert

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 lb couscous
1 1/4 cups hot water
2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine, melted
12 dates, stoned and chopped
12 almonds, whole
1 1/2 cups mixed nuts, finely chopped
2 tablespoons raisins, currants or 2 tablespoons sultanas
1/2 cup sugar (to taste)
1 orange, juice of
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

Place couscous in a bowl and pour in the hot water, stirring as you do (or prepare according package instructions) and set aside for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine nuts (except whole almonds), dried fruit, sugar and orange juice.
Set couscous in a sieve above a saucepan of boiling water and steam it for 10 minutes.
Rub in melted butter or margarine and then continue to steam for another 5 to 10 minutes.
When ready to serve, mix nut and dried fruit mixture into the couscous and turn it out onto a serving dish.
Decorate with whole almonds and sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 791.2, Fat 34.9, SaturatedFat 7.5, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 418.1, Carbohydrate 109.1, Fiber 10.9, Sugar 49, Protein 18.1