Best 6 Sweet Couscous With Nuts And Dried Fruit Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with this delectable Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This versatile dish, hailing from North African cuisine, transcends cultural boundaries to become a global favorite.

In this article, we present not just one but three enticing variations of this beloved dish. From the classic Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit, bursting with the goodness of plump raisins, crunchy almonds, and a hint of cinnamon, to the indulgent Chocolate Couscous, where rich cocoa powder and decadent chocolate chips take center stage, and the refreshing Orange and Pistachio Couscous, a vibrant blend of orange zest, tangy cranberries, and nutty pistachios – there's a perfect recipe for every palate.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT



Sweet Couscous With Nuts and Dried Fruit image

From Everyday Italian 2008 Serving Suggestion: Drizzle the couscous with 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture. You can serve this warm, cold or room temp - I preferred room temp.

Provided by lazy gourmet

Categories     Fruit

Time 12m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dried apricot, chopped
1/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
2 1/2 cups about 1 pound couscous
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted slivered almonds
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted and skinned hazelnuts
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, if desired

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cranberries, apricots, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid until the couscous has absorbed all of the cooking liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Using a fork, fluff the couscous to break up any lumps. Add the almonds and hazelnuts and toss. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet until completely cooled, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer the couscous to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
  • Serving Suggestion: Drizzle the couscous with 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture.

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

CURRIED COUSCOUS SALAD WITH DRIED SWEET CRANBERRIES



Curried Couscous Salad with Dried Sweet Cranberries image

For a picnic, there's no way I'm going to pass on making couscous. Instant Couscous so easy, it's almost embarrassing. The only "cooking" involved is boiling some water. I love it! Of course, you need to add some flavor to the couscous, but that's not hard. When you spike it with curry powder, fresh herbs, and a splash of orange and lemon juice, no one will be complaining about blandness. This dish tastes great at room temperature, and that makes it a picnic no-brainer because you can make it hours ahead of time.

Provided by Dave Lieberman

Categories     main-dish

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (5.8-ounce) box instant couscous
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 orange, juiced
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 to 4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced on an angle
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/2 lemon, juiced
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
Freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Stir the couscous, cranberries, curry powder, salt, and sugar together in a heatproof bowl. Bring water (amount will be listed on package directions) to a boil and pour it over the couscous. Add the orange juice. Give it a big stir, cover the bowl tightly and let it stand, giving it a big stir once or twice, until the water is absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Fluff up the couscous with a fork. Add the olive oil, scallions, parsley, lemon juice, and walnuts. Stir around until everything is distributed evenly throughout the couscous. Make up to 2 hours ahead of time and keep at room temperature until you're ready to serve. Check the seasonings just before you serve the salad and add salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Note: To toast the walnuts, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake in a 400 degree F oven until they turn a shade darker, about 8 minutes.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUSCOUS WITH DRIED FRUIT



Middle Eastern Couscous with Dried Fruit image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup raisins
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon coriander
1 1/2 cups packaged couscous
2 cups boiling water
3/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add the raisins, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the couscous to the saucepan, along with the 2 cups of boiling water and the salt. Stir once with a fork, cover tightly, and remove from the heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir with a fork before serving to fluff the couscous and combine the other ingredients. (This recipe can be made up to a day ahead and reheated over very low heat or in a microwave oven.)

FRUITY COUSCOUS SALAD



Fruity Couscous Salad image

To boost flavor and nutrition, prepare the whole-grain couscous with orange juice instead of water.

Provided by Ben S.

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Fruit Pasta Salad Recipes

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 ⅓ cups dry couscous
⅔ cup slivered almonds
½ cup packed dried apricots, chopped
⅔ cup Craisins (sweetened, dried cranberries) or raisins, microwaved in
1 cup water for 1 minute
1 teaspoon cumin
3 scallions, thinly sliced with greens
1 pinch Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Prepare couscous according to package directions. Combine all ingredients; toss. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 218.2 calories, Carbohydrate 38 g, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 6 mg, Sugar 12.7 g

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DATES



Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dates image

Categories     Nut     Breakfast     Dessert     Bake     High Fiber     Low Sodium     Dried Fruit     Date     Healthy     Couscous     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 2/3 cups couscous (about 1 pound)
2 2/3 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups chopped toasted mixed nuts (such as walnuts, blanched almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts)
1 8-ounce box pitted dates, cut into pieces
2 cups milk, hot
Additional sugar

Steps:

  • Place couscous in large bowl. Bring 2 2/3 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar and oil to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour mixture over couscous and stir until well blended. Cover and let stand 10 minutes. Fluff with fork to separate grains. Mix nuts and dates into couscous. Transfer couscous to 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cool. Cover with foil. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake couscous until heated through, about 20 minutes. Spoon into bowls. Serve, passing hot milk and additional sugar separately.

Tips:

  • For the best results, use high-quality dried fruit and nuts. Fresh nuts can be used, but they should be toasted before adding them to the couscous.
  • If you don't have time to make the syrup, you can substitute 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup.
  • To make the couscous ahead of time, cook it according to the package directions and let it cool completely. Then, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat the couscous in a saucepan over low heat until it's warmed through.
  • This dish can be served warm or cold. It's a great option for a potluck or picnic.
  • Feel free to experiment with different dried fruits and nuts. Some other good options include apricots, cranberries, raisins, almonds, and pistachios.

Conclusion:

Sweet couscous with nuts and dried fruit is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's also a great source of fiber, protein, and vitamins. With so many different variations, there's sure to be a recipe that everyone will love.

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