Cheats Easy Spiced Couscous With Fruit And Nuts In A Jar Food

CHEAT'S EASY SPICED COUSCOUS WITH FRUIT AND NUTS - IN A JAR!

Steps:

• Mix all the dry ingredients together.
• (The amounts can be doubled or even quadrupled for long term storage of up to 6 -9 months.).
• When you are ready to prepare the couscous, measure out the correct serving of dry ingredients into a large bowl, preferably the one you will be serving it from. The dry & wet combination is given above in the ingredients.
• Add the olive oil or butter & mix thoroughly.
• Add the boiling stock and mix thoroughly - place a clean tea towel over the top of the bowl and leave for 5 minutes.
• Fluff up the couscous after 5 minutes & add more liquid if needed.
• Add a knob of butter or a teaspoon of live oil - mix & sprinkle with freshly chopped coriander - cilantro before serving.
• You could also add more nuts or fruit as a garnish if you wish.
• This is a basic recipe - all kinds of dried fruit and nuts can be used such as: almonds, cashew nuts, dried cherries or cranberries, dried banana or coconut. It will depend on what you will be serving it with!

SPICED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Toast and chop cashews or pistachios.
• Melt 1/4 c butter in medium saucepan over low heat.
• Add spices and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add stock and currants.
• Can be prepared 4 hours ahead, bring to boil.
• Mix in couscous and 2 tbsps.
• butter.
• Cover and remove from heat.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork; season with salt.
• Transfer couscous to bowl, add nuts and toss well.

COUSCOUS WITH MOROCCAN SPICES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a non stick pan and cook the chopped onion and garlic in it till the onion is soft and translucent.
• Stir in the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne and paprika.
• Continue stirring over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then add vegetable broth, tomato puree and currants.
• Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from heat and stir in fresh lemon (or lime) juice to your taste.
• If not using immediately and planning to reheat before serving, wait to add citrus juice at the last minute.
• To cook the couscous, heat the broth, water, butter and salt together in a medium skillet till the liquid boils.
• Reduce to a simmer, add the couscous, cover the skillet tightly and leave on the lowest heat for 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat an leave it covered for another couple of minutes before fluffing with a fork.
• (If using instant couscous, check package directions - you may not need to keep it on heat after boiling, but just cover and wait till liquid is absorbed - just see if liquid amounts match what is mentioned on the package).

SPICY VEGETABLE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium-size skillet heat the oil.
• Add green onions, sweet pepper, garlic, tomatoes and zucchini; saute 5 min, stirring.
• Remove from heat and keep warm.
• In a medium-size saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients, mix, cover and let stand 5 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Add the first mixture and fluff with a fork.

MOROCCAN SPICED COUSCOUS WITH FRUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F/200C/400°F Put the couscous in an ovenproof dish. Mix the stock, saffron, apricots, dates and raisins in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Pour the hot stock and fruit over the couscous. Add just enough boiling water to cover the grains, but do not flood them. Set aside for 15 minutes.
• Fluff up the couscous with a fork and season it with salt, pepper and chili powder to taste. Drizzle the lemon or olive oil and lemon juice over and add the chickpeas. Mix the ingredients well, then cover the dish.
• Bake the couscous for 15 minutes. Fluff up the grains, stir in the mint and coriander and return the couscous to the oven for a further 5 minutes. Meanwhile, dry fry the almonds in a heavy based frying pan over a moderate heat, turning or stirring frequently for 5 minutes until they are golden. Scatter almonds over the couscous and serve immediately.