Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of North African cuisine with our delectable couscous with prunes and toasted almonds recipe. This traditional dish, known as seffa medfouna, is a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Dive into the enchanting allure of couscous, a staple grain renowned for its fluffy texture and nutty aroma, perfectly complemented by the tender chewiness of prunes and the delightful crunch of toasted almonds. This recipe also includes variations that cater to different dietary preferences, offering a seffa medfouna version for vegetarians and a gluten-free alternative for those seeking a lighter option. Get ready to captivate your senses with this authentic and flavorful dish that promises an unforgettable dining experience.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
SWEET AND NUTTY MOROCCAN COUSCOUS
I've simplified this recipe for Couscous Mesfouf without losing any of its deliciously complex flavor. Prepare all the mix-ins ahead of time and it takes only minutes to make. Enjoy!
Provided by Christina S.
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegetarian Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442.1 calories, Carbohydrate 68.2 g, Cholesterol 25.4 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.5 g, Sodium 163.5 mg, Sugar 16.9 g
COUSCOUS WITH PRUNES AND TOASTED ALMONDS
Spiced prunes add a sweet twist to classic couscous in this recipe from "Mourad: New Moroccan," by Mourad Lahlou. Also try: Brown-Butter Couscous, Couscous with Meyer Lemon and Parsley
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes until golden brown (break open to check). Let cool.
- Combine almonds with couscous, prunes, clarified butter, lemon juice, chives, and cinnamon; season with salt.
COUSCOUS WITH SAUTéED ALMONDS AND CURRANTS
Make a double batch of the almond-currant topping, then use it as a crunchy finish for salads and grain dishes. Though Admony calls for whole-wheat couscous, plain works just as well.
Provided by Einat Admony
Categories Side Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Currant Almond Couscous Dairy Free Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, combine the couscous, broth, paprika, cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rest for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.
- While the couscous is resting, heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer almonds and oil to a small bowl. Transfer fluffed couscous into a serving bowl and top with currants and the toasted almonds along with their oil.
COUS COUS WITH GARBANZO BEANS, PRUNES AND ALMONDS
Provided by Marisol Benadayan-Bennaroch
Categories Bean Fruit Nut Side Sauté High Fiber Prune Almond Chickpea Couscous Bon Appétit Dairy Free Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until very tender and beginning to brown, about 25 minutes. Add garbanzo beans and prunes and stir 1 minute. Add broth and cinnamon and bring to boil. Mix in couscous. Cover pot; remove from heat. Let stand 15 minutes.
- Using fork, fluff couscous. Mix in mint and half of almonds. Season with salt and pepper. Mound couscous in bowl. Sprinkle with remaining almonds.
COUSCOUS WITH DATES, RAISINS, AND ALMONDS
This is a slightly sweet recipe of middle eastern origin. You can add more sugar if you like, but for those wanting to cut down on sugar and fat, this is a great way to indulge in a bit of sweet with an ethnic flair.
Provided by Linda Lola
Categories Dessert
Time 15m
Yield 1 platter, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, orange peel and juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Bring to a boil. Add the couscous to the boiling water. Remove from heat and cover for ten minutes. Liquid should be absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
- In a small frying pan, heat the almonds over medium heat, stirring continuously until toasted. Add the raisins and dates and butter. Heat all until butter is melted.
- Serve couscous spread over a platter, top with topping mixture. Sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar over the top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 451.7, Fat 10.4, SaturatedFat 3, Cholesterol 10.2, Sodium 171.4, Carbohydrate 83.4, Fiber 6, Sugar 40.1, Protein 9.6
CLARIFIED BUTTER FOR COUSCOUS WITH PRUNES AND TOASTED ALMONDS
Use in chef Mamoud Lahlou's Couscous with Prunes and Toasted Almonds recipe from "Mourad: New Moroccan."
Provided by Martha Stewart
Yield Makes 1 cup
Number Of Ingredients 1
Steps:
- Melt butter in heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Skim off foam from top. Refrigerate butter to solidify. Make two holes in the top of butter and drain off liquid. Alternatively, strain butter through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Discard any milky liquid remaining in bottom of pan.
YVONNE MAFFEI'S ROAST CHICKEN WITH COUSCOUS, DATES AND BUTTERED ALMONDS
Deglet Noors dates shine when they are cooked in chutneys, desserts or North African dishes like this whole roast chicken. The chicken is cooked with fluffy couscous that absorbs the sweetness of dates and the butteriness of toasted almonds. Supermarket Deglet Noors are often dark brown and hard, because they have been kept well past their natural point of ripeness; seek out soft, light-colored ones for the best flavor.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories dinner, lunch, roasts, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large ovenproof dish or pot with a tight lid, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice, the ginger, the pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken and rub it around in the mixture until evenly coated. Turn chicken breast side down and roast, uncovered, for 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine couscous, 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside for 5 to 15 minutes to soak.
- In a small skillet, melt the butter. Add almonds and cook, stirring constantly, just until toasted and golden; adjust heat so almonds and butter do not scorch. Turn off heat and stir in dates.
- Add almond-date mixture to couscous, along with any butter left in pan, and mix, fluffing the grains with a fork. Mix in 2 tablespoons olive oil, the sugar, the cinnamon and the orange blossom water (if using).
- Drizzle or paint honey over top of chicken (leave chicken breast-side down in pot). Add couscous mixture to the pot, arranging it around the chicken. Cover tightly with a lid or foil and return to the oven for 30 minutes more.
- Remove from the oven. When cool enough to handle, remove chicken and carve into serving pieces. Stir and fluff couscous, scraping up any chicken skin stuck to bottom of pan, and place chicken pieces back on top of couscous. Sprinkle with chopped herbs and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 913, UnsaturatedFat 32 grams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fat 50 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 48 grams, SaturatedFat 14 grams, Sodium 967 milligrams, Sugar 19 grams, TransFat 0 grams
TOASTED COUSCOUS WITH ALMONDS AND RAISINS
Make and share this Toasted Couscous with Almonds and Raisins recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Dancer
Categories Fruit
Time 30m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat.
- Add the couscous and toast the grains, stirring or shaking the pan frequently, until the grains become brown and fragrant.
- Transfer to a plate.
- Add the almonds to the hot skillet and toast them in the same way, stirring frequently.
- Transfer them to another plate.
- Bring the stock to a boil with the celery, salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne.
- Simmer about 3 minutes or until the celery is slightly softened.
- Add the couscous and raisins to the saucepan and stir gently just to mix.
- Cover the pan, remove from the heat, and allow to stand about 5 minutes or until the couscous is tender.
- Add the almonds to the couscous and, with a fork, stir the mixture lightly to fluff up the grains.
Tips:
- It is advisable to pick softer couscous if you desire a softer texture, and grainier couscous for a more toothsome texture.
- If you want a more fulfilling meal, consider adding vegetables like diced carrots, sweet potatoes, chopped turnips, or zucchini to the couscous.
- Don't be afraid to use various nuts besides almonds, such as cashews, walnuts, or pine nuts, to add diversity to the dish.
- You can add a spicy kick to your dish by including a pinch of saffron, paprika, or cumin while steaming the couscous.
- If you are looking for a vegan alternative, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Conclusion:
This delightful recipe offers a flavorful blend of textures and tastes that will fulfill your taste buds. With the delicate sweetness of prunes, the nutty flavor of toasted almonds, and the fluffy texture of couscous, this dish is a delightful treat. Whether you serve it as a main course or a side dish, this couscous is sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, follow the recipe, and indulge in a culinary experience that will leave you wanting more. Bon appétit!
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