Best 2 Lemon Date Couscous Recipes

**Lemon Date Couscous: A Delightful Fusion of Sweet and Savory Flavors**

Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Morocco with our tantalizing Lemon Date Couscous. This delectable dish showcases the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, making it a true crowd-pleaser. Succulent dates, caramelized onions, and zesty lemons dance harmoniously with tender couscous, creating a symphony of textures and flavors that will captivate your taste buds.

In this comprehensive guide, we present two variations of this classic dish – a traditional version and a vegan alternative – ensuring that everyone can savor the goodness of Lemon Date Couscous. Whether you prefer the authentic taste of traditional Moroccan cooking or seek a plant-based option, we have you covered. Prepare to be amazed as we unveil the secrets behind this dish's irresistible charm, providing step-by-step instructions, a detailed ingredient list, and helpful tips to ensure your culinary success.

Let's cook with our recipes!

LEMON DATE COUSCOUS

Lemon Date Couscous image

Couscous is a great way to deliver bold flavors, and it cooks so quickly. This makes a wonderful accompaniment to all sorts of main dishes. -Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Side Dishes

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3/4 cup uncooked couscous
1/2 cup fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup chopped dates
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
Thinly sliced green onions

Steps:

Cook couscous according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the spinach, carrots, dates, almonds, lemon juice, zest, salt and lemon pepper. Stir in couscous. Garnish with green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179 calories, Fat 2g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 104mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SAUCY MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND LEMON WITH DATE COUSCOUS

Saucy Moroccan Chicken and Lemon with Date Couscous image

Braise chicken thighs with cinnamon, coriander and seared lemon slices, and serve them over a bed of couscous with dates.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 lemon, cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds (ends and seeds discarded)
2 teaspoons sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups couscous
1/4 cup chopped pitted dates or golden raisins
1/2 cup loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
8 small boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds total)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Steps:

Sprinkle both sides of the lemon slices with the sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Arrange on a plate and let stand 10 minutes.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan with 1 tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt and add the couscous and dates. Cover, remove from the heat, and set aside until tender, about 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in half of the cilantro. Cover and keep warm.
Combine the cinnamon, coriander, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Sprinkle over the chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, flipping once, until the chicken is golden brown on both sides (but not cooked all the way through), about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet.
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet and return to medium heat. Add the lemon slices in a single layer and cook until golden brown and caramelized on both sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the plate with the chicken.
Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the paste is a shade darker, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 cups water, the chickpeas, chicken, and lemon slices and simmer, flipping the chicken occasionally, until the chicken is just cooked through, about 12 minutes. Stir in the remaining cilantro and serve on top of the couscous.

Tips:

Use a Good Quality Couscous: Opt for whole wheat or Israeli couscous for a more nutty flavor and better texture.
Choose Sweet and Plump Dates: Look for Medjool dates for their moist and caramel-like sweetness.
Zest the Lemon Before Juicing: This releases the aromatic oils from the peel, enhancing the flavor of the dish.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh mint and parsley add a refreshing brightness to the dish.
Add Some Crunch: Toasted nuts like pistachios or almonds add a delightful textural contrast.
Adjust the Lemon-Date Ratio: Depending on your preference, you can increase or decrease the amount of lemon juice or dates.
Serve Warm or Chilled: Lemon date couscous can be enjoyed warm as a main course or chilled as a refreshing salad.

Conclusion:

Lemon date couscous is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the tangy brightness of lemon with the natural sweetness of dates. It's a versatile dish that can be served warm as a main course or chilled as a salad. Packed with wholesome ingredients like couscous, dates, lemon, fresh herbs, and toasted nuts, this dish offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures. Whether you're looking for a light lunch, a refreshing summer meal, or a healthy side dish, lemon date couscous is sure to impress with its unique and delicious taste. So next time you're looking for a recipe that's both healthy and satisfying, give lemon date couscous a try.