Best 8 Pistachio Couscous Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of North Africa with this tantalizing Pistachio Couscous recipe. This delectable dish combines the nutty richness of pistachios, the aromatic warmth of spices, and the fluffy texture of couscous to create a symphony of flavors. As you delve into the depths of this culinary masterpiece, you'll discover a delightful interplay of savory and sweet, with hints of citrus and herbs adding a refreshing touch to each bite. This versatile dish can be served as a main course, a side dish, or even a refreshing salad, making it a perfect addition to any occasion. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary adventures, this Pistachio Couscous recipe is sure to captivate your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

This article offers a collection of three unique Pistachio Couscous recipes, each with its own distinct flavor profile to tantalize your taste buds. The first recipe, Classic Pistachio Couscous, embodies the traditional flavors of North African cuisine with a harmonious blend of spices and tender couscous. The second recipe, Pistachio Couscous with Roasted Vegetables, adds a colorful array of roasted vegetables to the mix, creating a vibrant and nutritious dish that's perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner. Finally, the Pistachio Couscous Salad introduces a refreshing twist with a zesty lemon dressing, fresh herbs, and crunchy pistachios, making it an ideal side dish for grilled meats or a light and flavorful summer meal.

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

LEMON-PISTACHIO ISRAELI COUSCOUS



Lemon-Pistachio Israeli Couscous image

Provided by David Lebovitz

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 preserved lemon
1/2 cup (30g) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons salted or unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (80g) diced dried fruit (any combination of cherries, cranberries, apricots, prunes, or raisins)
1/2 cup (65g) unsalted (shelled) pistachios, very coarsely chopped (almost whole)
3/4 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups (225g) Israeli couscous or another small round pasta
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • 1. Trim the stem end from the lemon and cut it into quarters. Scoop out the pulp and press it through a strainer into a medium-sized bowl to extract the juices; discard the pulp. Finely dice the preserved lemon rind and add it to the bowl along with the parsley, butter, dried fruit, pistachios, salt, and cinnamon.
  • 2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the couscous and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and add it to the bowl of fruits and nuts, stirring until the butter is melted and all the ingredients are well mixed. Season with black pepper and serve.

OLIVE, APRICOT, AND PISTACHIO COUSCOUS



Olive, Apricot, and Pistachio Couscous image

Pair this wonderful couscous recipe from the February 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living with Moroccan-Spiced Chicken for a delicious family dinner.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter
1/4 cup dried apricots, preferably Turkish, chopped
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped green olives (about 6 large olives)
1 cup couscous
2 tablespoons shelled pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Bring water, salt, and butter to a boil in a small saucepan. Add apricots, olives, and couscous, swirling pan to submerge ingredients. Cover, and remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir with fork, then fold in pistachios and lemon juice. Serve immediately.

PISTACHIO COUSCOUS



Pistachio Couscous image

Categories     Herb     Side     Low/No Sugar     Pistachio     Couscous     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup shelled natural pistachios
4 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
2 10-ounce boxes couscous
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • On a baking sheet in middle of oven toast pistachios in one layer until golden, about 10 minutes. Once pistachios have cooled, coarsely chop.
  • In each of two 3-quart saucepans bring 2 1/4 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Stir 1 box couscous into each pan and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes.
  • Chop mint leaves. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a bowl. Stir in pistachios, mint, oil, and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

PISTACHIO-CRUSTED MOROCCAN RACK OF LAMB WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS



Pistachio-Crusted Moroccan Rack of Lamb With Israeli Couscous image

We were wondering what to do with our rack of lamb. Since we had some Ras el hanout, preserved lemon, pomegranate molasses, and pomegranate seeds, we prepared this with excellent results. I have never been to Morocco. But from what I have seen of recipes by Paula Wolfert, the preparation of Moroccan cuisine seems much more complicated than this. Your own Ras el hanout will be better than anything you find already prepared. And if you can find spices at an ethnic market, it will cost less, too. (Food.com has many very good Ras el hanout blends, including my own :-)) As for preserved lemon, guess where you can find a recipe? You guessed it--right here on Food.com. But I will also provide one at the end of this recipe

Provided by French Terrine

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time 1h

Yield 2-3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 rack of lamb
2 teaspoons ras el hanout spice mix
2 teaspoons spanish smoked paprika (pimenton)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
1/2 cup pistachio nut
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup israeli couscous
1 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup mint leaf
1/3 cup cilantro leaf
1/3 cup flat leaf parsley
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
1/2 preserved lemons or 1 lemon, zest of
10 dried apricots

Steps:

  • Rinse rack of lamb under cold water and pat dry. Using a sharp knife, cut a few slits between the bones and into the meat. (This will allow some of the spice blend to penetrate into the meat) Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with Ras el hanout and paprika. Allow to stand at room temperature while preparing the couscous.
  • Rinse cilantro, parsley, and mint leaves. (Amounts listed above in ingredients are approximate, since I use a handful of each) Dry in paper towels, then roughly chop. Also roughly chop preserved lemon and dried apricot. **For most recipes that call for preserved lemon, thoroughly rinse off the salt and remove the pulp and seeds, using only the rind.** If you do not have preserved lemon, zest a whole lemon to add later while combining couscous ingredients.
  • Grind pistachio nuts and combine with bread crumbs. (If your pistachios are salted, there is no need to add salt to the lamb before searing it).
  • To prepare the Israeli couscous, melt butter in saucepan and sauté chopped onion until soft. Add the couscous and cook with the sautéed onion, then add the stock. If you do not have stock, use water. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Cover and continue simmering about 8 minutes, until couscous is soft. Not all of the liquid will be absorbed. Empty contents into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse with cold water, rinsing off the starch that was released during simmering. Return the rinsed and drained couscous back into the saucepan and reheat slightly.
  • Prepare your lamb: Preheat oven to 375. If your pistachio nuts are unsalted, sprinkle rack of lamb with salt. Using an oven-proof skillet, heat olive oil over moderately high heat. When oil is hot, sear the lamb rack until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
  • Remove pan from heat. Slather both sides of lamb rack with pomegranate molasses. Then with meaty side of lamb rack up, pack nut crumb mixture on top. Place skillet in oven and roast until internal temp reaches 140 degrees F for rare, about 15-20 minutes. Then allow to stand a few minutes before carving.
  • Combine couscous, preserved lemon or zest, apricot, pomegranate seeds, and chopped mint, cilantro, and parsley. If desired toss couscous with a splash of olive oil and a small amount of lemon juice from the zested lemon.
  • Carve rack into 8 chops. Spoon couscous onto plate and arrange chops on top.
  • ************************************************************************************************.
  • Preserved lemon: You will need a glass jar with an air-tight seal. Combine ~ a tablespoon of coriander seed with ~ a tablespoon of fennel seed. Place 1 bay leaf and 1 cinnamon stick in the bottom of glass jar. Have a small bowl of Kosher salt nearby. Slice lemons in quarters ALMOST down to stem end, but leave intact. Place coriander and fennel seed inside lemon and also fill with salt. Place cut side down into glass jar, squeezing as many into the jar as you can. As you squeeze them, some of the lemon juice is released, but not enough to fill the jar. Just continue packing in as many lemons as you can and add additional salt between layers of lemon. Top off with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Then refrigerate for a month. I think this is Jamie Oliver's technique, but there are many out there. He has also suggested doing this with other citrus, like limes and mandarin oranges. Meyer lemons work nicely. Some techniques suggest a layer of olive oil on top, and this works well, too.

PISTACHIO-CURRANT COUSCOUS



Pistachio-Currant Couscous image

Provided by Aida Mollenkamp

Categories     side-dish

Time 15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cups dry couscous
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup roughly chopped roasted, salted pistachios
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring broth and water to a boil over high heat. Place couscous and currants in a bowl, pour in boiling liquid and cover with plastic wrap for 5 minutes until water is absorbed.
  • Stir in pistachios and oil and fluff with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning, as desired.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH PISTACHIO COUSCOUS



Moroccan Chicken With Pistachio Couscous image

This is another simple, easy and quick meal to put together, it is a good mid week, no fuss meal, that can be on the table in about 35 Min's. This recipe serves 4 but can be halved if just making for 2. I made this with chicken breasts coated them in the spice mixture, cooked them and then sliced thickly, but you could also use tenders or thigh fillets instead. Feel free to adjust spice quantaties to suit your personal tastes.

Provided by The Flying Chef

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons lemon rind, finely grated
4 chicken breasts
1 red capsicum, sliced thinly
2 (100 g) sachet's quick-cooking couscous (I buy my couscous in a box of 4 quick cooking sachets each one serves 2, so make according to your b)
1 -2 teaspoon vegetable bouillon granules
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup roasted pistachios, chopped coarsely
2 tablespoons sultanas, chopped roughly
1/2 cup fresh coriander, chopped coarsely

Steps:

  • Combine spices and rind in a bowl mix well, add chicken one breast at a time and rub spice mixture firmly into chicken. Cook chicken in a heated, oiled fry pan until browned on both sides and cooked through. Remove and set to one side.
  • In same cleaned pan add capsicum and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
  • While chicken is cooking, boil enough water to cover sachet's, with 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable stock added, place sachet's in water and cook for 1-2 min's until couscous softens.
  • Cut bag open and pour into a large bowl fluff with fork, stir in juice and oil.
  • Stir in nuts, sultana's and coriander.
  • To Serve: Place couscous in a serving bowl, top with sliced chicken and capsicum.

PISTACHIO COUSCOUS



Pistachio Couscous image

Posted for ZWT6 - NA*ME region - Morocco. Adjusted this slightly in that I think adding some chicken broth in place of just water would give this a better depth of flavor. To make it vegetarian use a vegetable broth in place of the chicken for the same boost to the flavor of the couscous.

Provided by HokiesMom

Categories     Rice

Time 25m

Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup pistachios, shelled
2 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth (or use vegetable broth)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (10 ounce) box couscous
1/8-1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
ground pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F On a baking sheet using the middle rack of the oven toast pistachios in one layer until golden, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Once cooled, coarsely chop. You do want them very coarse so the texture is prevalent in the couscous.
  • In a 3-quart saucepan bring broth and salt to a boil. Stir in the box of couscous and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes.
  • Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a bowl. Stir in pistachios, mint, oil, and lemon juice and season with pepper.

PISTACHIO COUSCOUS



Pistachio Couscous image

A nice side to chicken or salmon.

Provided by Mikekey *

Categories     Pasta Sides

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 6

3/4 c chicken broth
3/4 c couscous
1 tsp lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 c chopped pistachios
salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • 1. In a small saucepan bring chicken broth to a boil.
  • 2. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
  • 3. Drizzle with lemon juice and fluff with a fork. Stir in lemon zest and chopped pistachios.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the final dish will be. Look for fresh, flavorful vegetables, high-quality couscous, and creamy feta cheese.
  • Toast the couscous before cooking: This will give it a nutty flavor and help it to cook evenly.
  • Use a flavorful broth: The broth you use to cook the couscous will add a lot of flavor to the dish. Use a vegetable broth or a chicken broth that is well-seasoned.
  • Add vegetables and herbs: Vegetables and herbs will add color, flavor, and texture to the dish. Be sure to use a variety of vegetables, and don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs.
  • Let the couscous cool slightly before serving: This will help it to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.

Conclusion:

Pistachio couscous is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is perfect for a summer meal, and it is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With its vibrant colors and flavors, pistachio couscous is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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