Best Sweet Couscous Recipes

SWEET AND NUTTY MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Pour the vegetable broth into a large saucepan, and bring to a boil. Add the butter, apricots, dates and raisins. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the couscous. Cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon and toasted almonds, and serve.

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.

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.

SWEET AND SOUR COUSCOUS-STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Pulse the carrots, celery and shallots in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high. Add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring frequently, until light golden and soft, 8 to 10 minutes. (Add a splash of water if the mixture begins to stick.) Add the ground beef and 4 teaspoons of the tomato paste and cook, breaking the mixture up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water, the parsley, raisins, 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until most of the water is absorbed and the mixture gets saucy, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, toss the pepper halves with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until the peppers are pliable, 10 to 12 minutes. Carefully uncover the bowl and pour out any liquid that has accumulated.
• Stir the couscous into the beef mixture. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 3/4 cup water in the bottom of a large baking dish.
• Carefully transfer the peppers to the baking dish cut-side up and fill each pepper with the couscous mixture. Sprinkle with the cheese. Cover with foil and bake until the peppers are tender and the stuffing is hot, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature drizzled with the tomato cooking liquid.

SWEET AND SPICY COUSCOUS SALAD WITH GRAPES

Steps:

• Bring stock to a boil in a medium saucepan and stir in couscous. Remove pan from heat and cover. Let couscous stand until cool, then fluff with a fork into a large bowl. Stir in grapes, pine nuts, apricots, green onions, parsley and mint. Add remaining Ingredients and let flavors marry for 30 minutes before serving.

MAGHREBI SWEET COUSCOUS (SEFFA)

Steps:

• 1. Pour the boiling water over the couscous and salt, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. (If using regular couscous, after soaking, toss with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, place in a colander, and steam over boiling water, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.) Stir to fluff.
• 2. Stir the sugar and cinnamon into the butter. Pour over the couscous and toss to coat. Gradually add enough milk to moisten the couscous.
• 3. Mound the couscous on a large platter and sprinkle with the additional cinnamon. Or for individual servings, pack into custard cups and invert onto serving plates.
• VARIATIONS
• Couscous Hillo (Moroccan Fruited Couscous):
• Add 3/4 cup raisins, 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates, 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots, 3/4 cup chopped blanched almonds, and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or 1/3 cup pine nuts.
• Couscous de Cérémonie:
• Mounded couscous is featured on special occasions, such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. Pack half of the couscous mixture into a large bowl, sprinkle with 2/3 cup ground toasted blanched almonds, top with the remaining couscous, invert onto a serving platter, and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Garnish with datils rellenos.

EGYPTIAN SWEET COUSCOUS DESSERT

Steps:

• Bring fruit juice & rose water to a boil, add couscous, stir well, cover, remove from heat & let stand 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Rub well into grains 3 Tbs. melted sweet butter.
• Combine couscous with 1/4 cup each finely ground blanched almonds and pistachio nuts.
• Mound on serving platter and sprinkle with mixture of powdered sugar & cinnamon.
• Garnish with kufeta (candy-coated almonds) & pomegranate seeds.

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DATES

Steps:

• Place couscous in large bowl. Bring 2 2/3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar and oil to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour mixture over couscous and stir until well blended. Cover and let stand 10 minutes. Fluff with fork to separate grains. Mix nuts and dates into couscous. Transfer couscous to 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cool. Cover with foil. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake couscous until heated through, about 20 minutes. Spoon into bowls. Serve, passing hot milk and additional sugar separately.

SWEET POTATO AND TURKEY COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain., Meanwhile, in a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute couscous, onion and celery until couscous is lightly browned. Stir in seasonings and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until couscous is tender, about 10 minutes., Stir in turkey, cranberries, orange zest and potatoes. Cook, covered, over low heat until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley.

SWEET ALMOND MILK COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring almond milk, sugar and salt to boil in a pot; add couscous, zest, and cardamom; cover and cook for 1 minute, then turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
• Fluff couscous with a fork and sprinkle on the rosewater, if using. Add nuts and apricots, and gently combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Sweet Couscous with Citrus Salad: Make the couscous with mixed citrus zest - a little lemon, orange, lime or grapefruit - and omit nuts, cardamom and rosewater. Let it cool to room temperature and serve topped with a cup of orange, tangerine or grapefruit segments (or a combination) tossed with 3 tablespoons chopped mint leaves.

SEFFA (SWEET COUSCOUS WITH ALMOND MILK)

Steps:

• Combine the milk and almonds in a saucepan with a lid and bring to a boil over medium/high heat.
• Turn off the heat, cover and let sit while you proceed with the recipe.
• Put 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan and turn heat to medium/low.
• When butter melts, add the couscous and cook stirring for 1 minute.
• Add 2 1/4 cups water and a pinch of salt.
• Bring to a boil, then turn heat down very low.
• Cover and cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 7-12 minutes.
• While the couscous is cooking, soak the raisins, apricots and dates in warm water.
• Pour the couscous into a large serving bowl and stir in the remaining butter along with the drained fruit.
• Fluff the couscous and break up any lumps.
• Add the sugar and cinnamon and stir and taste to adjust seasonings if needed.
• Strain the almond milk and pour over the couscous and serve.

MOROCCAN SWEET POTATO WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Chop sweet potato, put in a pot with barely enough water to cover.
• Add salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer (just under medium temperature, not too low) for 10-12 minutes until tender.
• Cook couscous by placing in a bowl with equal amount of boiling water and covering immediately. Leave to cook while potato is simmering.
• Prepare ginger and lemon.
• Add everything except lemon zest and couscous to water and sweet potato and keep on cooking about 2 minutes.
• Stir in lemon zest.
• Fluff couscous, divide between two pasta plates (they hold the sauce better than flat plates) and top with sweet potato. Be generous with the sauce as it will soak into the couscous and add delicious flavour.

MESFOUF QSENTENA - SWEET COUSCOUS WITH DATES & NUTS

Steps:

• Place the cooked couscous in a large bowl & mix in the salt.
• De-stone the dates & roughly chop them. Chop the walnuts into relatively small pieces (about the size of a pea).
• Starting with 80g of each of the butter & the ghee, mix them into the couscous - the best way to do this is with your hands, Rub the couscous between your fingertips & palms until the grains are evenly coated.
• Set aside 2 tbsp of the dates & of the walnuts, mix the remainder into to the couscous & mix well until evenly distributed.
• Taste & add more butter or ghee if desired.
• Transfer the couscous to a large serving bowl & decorate with the reserved dates & walnuts. Sprinkle a little sugar over the top of the couscous & serve.
• Allow people to add their own sugar to taste.

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.

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH CUSTARD

Steps:

• Custard: Bring the milk to boil in a medium saucepan. While it is heating, place the egg yolks, sugar, & a pinch of salt into a mixing bowl & beat until pale yellow & thick. Add the cornstarch & beat until smooth.
• Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, stirring continuously. Pour back into the saucepan, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until boiling. Continue to stir vigorously until the custard is smooth, about 45 seconds.
• Remove from the heat & continue to beat vigorously for another 30 seconds. Stir in the vanilla & rose water. When cool, place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the custard so it does not form a layer of skin. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Couscous: Toasted the almonds until golden brown. Chop the almonds & walnuts in a food processor. Add to the dates & raisins then set aside.
• Prepare the couscous as directed on the package (should make around 4 cups, cooked). Then stir in the butter & sugar.
• When ready to serve, spread the custard on the bottom of a 10-12 inch round serving dish. Cover the custard with half the couscous then scatter the nut mixture evenly over it. Top with the rest of the couscous & sprinkle with the ground pistachios.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH SWEET POTATO

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Cook shallots until soft but not browned, about 4 minutes.
• Add sweet potato, sumac and couscous; cook, stirring, until couscous starts to toast, about 2 minutes.
• Add stock, salt and pepper.
• Bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to low.
• Cook the couscous for 10 - 12 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is al dente.
• Remove from heat.
• Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork before servings.

MOROCCAN SWEET COUSCOUS

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.

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.

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH FIGS

Steps:

• Warm the milk with the butter, figs, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form at the rim and it just begins to approach a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover, and remove form the heat. Let the couscous stand for about five minutes. Spoon into bowls and pass additional sugar at the table, along with milk if you wish.

CRUNCHY-SWEET QUINOA COUSCOUS WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Cover chickpeas with 2" water and soak overnight (or see quick-soak tip on p. 35). Drain chickpeas and place in a medium pot; cover with 2"-3" of water. Bring to a rapid boil and skim any foam that rises to the surface. Add kombu and reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cook for 1-2 hours (very fresh chickpeas take longer to cook), adding water as needed. About 10 minutes before they're done, add 1/4 tsp salt. Drain and set aside.
• In another pot, cover quinoa with water and swirl with your hand to rinse. Drain. Add 2 cups fresh water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes, or until all water is absorbed. Transfer quinoa to a large bowl to cool.
• After quinoa has cooled to slightly warmer than room temperature, add chickpeas, raisins, almonds, parsley, basil, 2 tbsp oil, and Herbamare, vinegar, or salt. Finish with a drizzle of oil and a splash of citrus juice or zest, if desired.