Moroccan Couscous Recipe Quick And Easy Side Dish Wellplated Com

Couscous is a healthy, versatile side that you can serve with anything from Roasted Broccolini to Grilled Cod or Chicken Kabobs.

This classic Moroccan-style couscous recipe cooks in 15 minutes (this Roasted Vegetable Salad is another quick couscous recipe).A few simple touches, like subtle spices, golden raisins, and pine nuts, make it taste special enough to serve at a holiday meal.

One of my most vivid post-college memories is of a friend cooking a Moroccan-themed dinner for a big group. She piled spiced couscous high on a large platter, topped with the spiced Moroccan Meatballs and Oven Roasted Vegetables, and we ate it on the floor, scooping our servings from the communal plate (those were the days!). That meal made quite the impression. I’ve been smitten with Moroccan-style food and flavors ever since.

How to Make a Moroccan Couscous Recipe

Fortunately, we don’t need to visit Morocco to enjoy a serving of couscous (or Crock Pot Moroccan Chicken).

While it resembles a tiny grain of rice or quinoa, couscous is pasta. An easy side dish!It’s made from semolina flour (semolina is a flour made from durum wheat and is used in most traditional kinds of pasta) and water.

Because it is so small, couscous recipes cook in a matter of minutes, making it a fabulous choice for a last-minute side. Since it cooks on the stovetop, it keeps your oven free for other endeavors. This couscous recipe takes inspiration from Moroccan cuisine and ingredients but is mild enough to serve with a wide variety of mains.

The Ingredients

Couscous. Quick-cooking and tasty, I like to purchase whole wheat couscous. Like other whole-grain options, it’s higher in protein and fiber than its white counterparts. (Try this Avocado Couscous Grapefruit Salad next.)

Shallot. Starting the recipe by sautéing a shallot gives the entire dish a more robust, complete flavor.Golden Raisins. A popular ingredient in Moroccan cooking, golden raisins (also in this Moroccan Chickpea Salad) give the couscous recipe bits of sweetness and make it more texturally interesting.Pine Nuts. Another classic ingredient in Moroccan cuisine, pine nuts add pops of nutty intensity and crunch. (I also love pine nuts in this Slow Cooker Wild Rice Pilaf.)

Lemon and Parsley. These two traditional Moroccan ingredients give this easy couscous recipe freshness, color, and life.Cumin. Moroccan cuisine is especially renowned for its spices. This recipe keeps the spices fairly mild so that the couscous pairs well with a variety of dishes. A touch of cumin is all you need.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Place leftover couscous in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a large skillet on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave.To Freeze. Let the couscous cool completely, then store it in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Sheets. These sizes are ideal for spreading out and toasting the nuts.Versatile Saucepan. This one is a very useful size for cooking grains and with proper care can last a lifetime.Citrus Juicer. The BEST way to juice any citrus fruit. You’ll be amazed how much juice it can squeeze from every lemon.

For a recipe that will surprise and delight, all with very little effort on your part, this Moroccan couscous recipe does not disappoint.

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