Almond Currant Couscous Recipes

ALMOND CURRANT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Almonds: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Spread almonds on an ungreased baking sheet. Place in 350°F oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until almonds are light brown. Stir once or twice to ensure even browning. Almonds will continue to brown slightly after removing from oven. Couscous: 1. Heat oil in medium sauté pan over medium heat. 2. Add couscous and almonds; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes until grains are fragrant and heated through. 3. Turn off heat. In bowl, mix boiling water, currants, scallions, cinnamon and salt; pour over couscous. 4. Cover pan with a tight-fitting lid. Set aside for 20 minutes. 5. Fluff couscous with fork and divide among 4 plates. 6. Serve with a spring vegetable ragout or grilled vegetable and tofu skewers. Or, slice sautéed or grilled boned and skinned chicken breasts, and fan over couscous. Source: Almond Board of California

COUSCOUS WITH SAUTéED ALMONDS AND 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.

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Steps:

• 1 Fill a large pot with 2 quarts of water and fit with a pasta steamer insert, making sure that the water does not touch the bottom of the steamer. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil over high heat. 2 In a large bowl, whisk together the couscous and 1 cup of the water until the couscous is evenly moistened. Let stand for 5 minutes. Run your fingers through the couscous and break up any clumps into individual grains. Place the steam insert over a baking sheet. Using a large spoon, carefully transfer the couscous to the steamer. Reduce the heat to medium-low so the water is just simmering. Return the steamer to the pot, cover and steam for 15 minutes. 3 Carefully pour the couscous into a large bowl and whisk in 1/2 cup of the water, breaking up any clumps. Carefully transfer the couscous to the steamer, return the steamer to the pot, cover and steam for 15 minutes. Repeat this process one more time, using the remaining 1/2 cup water. 4 Transfer the couscous to a large bowl. Whisk in the clarified butter, coating the couscous evenly and breaking up any large clumps. Add the almonds, currants, mint and salt and gently stir to combine. Serve immediately. 5 Serves 6 to 8.

COUSCOUS WITH CURRANTS, ALMONDS, AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Check couscous package instructions to see how much boiling water you will need. Place couscous and currants in a large bowl. Pour boiling water over top, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove cover, add toasted almonds and parsley, and fluff with a fork until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve hot or at room temperature.