Best 8 Couscous With Prunes And Toasted Almonds Recipes

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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



Sweet and Nutty Moroccan Couscous image

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

2 cups vegetable broth
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
⅓ cup chopped dates
⅓ cup chopped dried apricots
⅓ cup golden raisins
2 cups dry couscous
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ cup slivered almonds, toasted

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



Couscous with Prunes and Toasted Almonds image

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

1 cup whole blanched whole almonds
Classic Steamed Couscous
3/4 cup Spiced Prunes, pitted and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
5 tablespoons Clarified Butter for Couscous with Prunes and Toasted Almonds
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 tablespoons chopped chives
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Coarse salt

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



Couscous with Sautéed Almonds and Currants image

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

2 cups instant couscous (whole wheat or regular)
2 1/2 cups boiling low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup sliced almonds
3 tablespoons dried currants

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



Cous Cous with Garbanzo Beans, Prunes and Almonds image

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

1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups chopped onions
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
1 cup chopped pitted prunes (about 6 ounces)
3 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups couscous (about 12 ounces)
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

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



Couscous With Dates, Raisins, and Almonds image

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

2 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 orange, using the grated orange peel and then juice of that orange
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (10 ounce) package near east instant original couscous
1/2 cup almonds, sliced
1/2 cup golden raisin
1/2 cup chopped dates
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar

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



Clarified Butter for Couscous with Prunes and Toasted Almonds image

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

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

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



Yvonne Maffei's Roast Chicken With Couscous, Dates and Buttered Almonds image

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

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Fine sea salt
1 large whole chicken, about 4 pounds
2 cups couscous (not instant)
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup slivered dates
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons orange blossom water (optional)
2 tablespoons honey
Chopped mint, parsley or cilantro, or a combination, for garnish

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



Toasted Couscous with Almonds and Raisins image

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

1 1/2 cups couscous
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 cups vegetable stock or 2 cups chicken stock
2 stalks celery, diced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 pinch ground cumin
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 cup raisins

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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