Best 4 Couscous Pilaf With Almonds Coconut And Cranberries Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of the Middle East with this delectable Couscous Pilaf recipe, a harmonious blend of nutty couscous, aromatic spices, and a symphony of tantalizing ingredients. This versatile dish, hailing from the kitchens of Morocco, can be easily transformed into a vegetarian delight or a hearty non-vegetarian feast.

For vegetarians, a medley of colorful vegetables, such as crisp carrots, tender bell peppers, and vibrant green peas, come together in a symphony of flavors. The addition of toasted almonds, shredded coconut, and dried cranberries infuses each bite with a textural contrast and a burst of sweetness that perfectly complements the savory profile of the dish.

For meat lovers, succulent pieces of chicken or lamb are lovingly marinated in a blend of fragrant spices, then gently braised until fall-off-the-bone tender. The tender meat is then nestled amidst the fluffy couscous pilaf, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.

Whether you opt for the vegetarian or non-vegetarian version, this Couscous Pilaf is a culinary masterpiece that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant souks of Marrakech.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

COUSCOUS PILAF WITH ALMONDS, COCONUT, AND CRANBERRIES



Couscous Pilaf with Almonds, Coconut, and Cranberries image

Wake up your couscous pilaf with a delicious blend of almonds, coconut, and dried cranberries.

Provided by Tawanda.Y

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 24m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

butter-flavored cooking spray
⅓ cup chopped almonds
⅓ cup shredded coconut
⅓ cup dried cranberries
1 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup uncooked couscous

Steps:

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat and grease with cooking spray. Add almonds; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add coconut; cook and stir until almonds and coconut are fully toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cranberries; cook until cranberries are heated through, about 1 minute more.
  • Bring chicken broth to a boil in a pot. Remove from heat and add couscous. Stir, cover, and let sit until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the almonds, coconut, and cranberries; stir to blend.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 118.8 mg, Sugar 9.1 g

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ALMONDS & DRIED CRANBERRIES



Israeli Couscous With Almonds & Dried Cranberries image

What a delightful side dish. Browning the couscous and cooking in the chicken broth gives it a toasted buttery flavor. The dried cranberries are sweet and a nice little punch of tartness. Slivered almonds add a fantastic crunch. A light, but hearty side dish that will be delicious on your table. It would be lovely served with...

Provided by Jessica Silva

Categories     Other Side Dishes

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 Tbsp olive oil or butter
2 c Israeli couscous
4 c chicken broth
1/4 c chopped fresh parsley
1 c dried cranberries
1/2 c slivered almonds

Steps:

  • 1. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly browned, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • 2. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
  • 3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
  • 4. Add the parsley, dried cranberries, and almonds.
  • 5. Stir to combine and heat the cranberries and almonds.

EASY COUSCOUS PILAF



Easy Couscous Pilaf image

Carrot, celery, and onion infuse this couscous with loads of flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small carrot
1 small celery stalk
1 small onion
Coarse salt and pepper
1 cup water
1 cup couscous

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add carrot, celery stalk, and onion, all finely chopped; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add water; bring to a boil.
  • Stir in couscous into vegetable mixture in pan. Remove from heat; cover, and let steam 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g

CRANBERRY AND ALMOND RICE PILAF



Cranberry and Almond Rice Pilaf image

I've been making this dish for years - it's different from typical rice pilaf dishes in that the cranberries add the sweetness and the tartness that you don't expect in a savory dish. Oh, and it's super hard to fumble.

Provided by BOGINIA2

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon olive oil
¾ cup chopped onions
½ cup dried cranberries
1 ½ cups uncooked jasmine rice
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
ground black pepper to taste
2 green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup slivered almonds

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir cranberries and jasmine rice into onion until rice is coated with oil and rice is lightly toasted, about 5 minutes more.
  • Pour chicken broth into skillet and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
  • Bring rice mixture to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 22 minutes.
  • Remove skillet from heat; stir green onions, cilantro, and almonds into rice mixture. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 212.6 calories, Carbohydrate 39.4 g, Cholesterol 1.5 mg, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 285.2 mg, Sugar 6.1 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in the final dish. Look for high-quality couscous, almonds, coconut, and cranberries.
  • Toast the almonds and coconut: This will bring out their flavor and make them more fragrant. You can toast them in a pan on the stovetop or in the oven.
  • Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the couscous will add a lot of flavor to the dish. Choose a broth that you enjoy the taste of, such as chicken broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth.
  • Add some spices: Spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon can add a warm, exotic flavor to the pilaf. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or mint can add a pop of color and flavor to the dish. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, citrusy flavor.

Conclusion:

This couscous pilaf with almonds, coconut, and cranberries is a flavorful and versatile dish that can be served as a side dish or main course. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try.

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