Pork With Cucumber Apricot Couscous Food

SKILLET PORK TENDERLOIN WITH SPICED CARROTS AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Mix together the pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix all over the pork tenderloin.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the pork tenderloin down the center of the skillet. Cook the pork, flipping occasionally and keeping it in the center of the skillet, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
• While the pork cooks, toss together the ginger, carrots, lemons, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to one side of the pork tenderloin in the skillet and then add the carrot mixture, spreading it out in an even layer. (Leave the other side of the pork empty.) Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet and cook until the carrots are bright orange and just start to become tender, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the couscous, apricots and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl. Add the couscous mixture and 1 1/2 cups water to the empty side of the skillet. Pile the spinach on top of the carrots, cover the skillet and cook until the couscous is fluffy and tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork has reached about 150 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Remove the pork to a cutting board and slice. Serve with the carrots and couscous.

APRICOT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the red onion, apricots and almonds and saute gently over low heat until translucent and slightly fragrant. Add the couscous then dump in the warm chicken broth. Stir with a fork to combine, add lemon zest and cover. Let sit for 10 minutes, then uncover and add the scallions, mint, and cilantro. Fluff again with a fork. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
• Serve family-style on a large platter and garnish with fresh cilantro.

COUSCOUS, PORK AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Chop whole onion; saute in very hot nonstick pan in olive oil over medium-high heat, until onions begin to brown.
• Meanwhile, wash, trim and dry mushrooms and add to onion when it begins to brown.
• Wash, dry and cut pork into small cubes; add to onion and mushrooms as they cook and brown on all sides.
• Following package directions on couscous, bring the appropriate amount of water to boil.
• Finely grate lemon and orange rinds; cut up apricots.
• Add couscous to boiling water with lemon and orange rinds; cover pot and allow couscous to sit until the water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Add cumin and red pepper flakes to pork mixture and stir well. Stir in apricots, tomato paste and orange juice; reduce heat to low and continue cooking.
• Wash, dry and mince parsley.
• Stir cooked couscous into pork mixture; season with salt and sprinkle with parsley.

MOROCCAN-STYLE BRAISED PORK WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For the marinade, place all of the ingredients into a blender and blitz to a paste. Rub the marinade into the pork slices, cover and put in the fridge for 24 hours.
• After 24 hours, heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion and garlic cloves and sweat for 2-3 minutes. Add the pork and its marinade, stock, bay leaf and apricots and braise very gently over a low heat for 2-3 hours, or until very tender.
• For the couscous, place the couscous in a large bowl with the cinnamon stick. Cover with boiling water, place a plate over the bowl and leave for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the vinegar, sugar and oil together in a small bowl. Fork the vinegar mixture though the cooked couscous. Stir in the chopped herbs, orange and lemon zests, raisins, almonds and pistachios and season with salt and pepper.
• Cut the pork slices into four portions and place on warmed plates. Spoon some of the marinade with the onion, garlic cloves and apricots over the pork. Serve immediately, with the couscous alongside.

STICKY GLAZED PORK WITH SPRING ONION COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Mix the mustard with the honey and enough orange juice to loosen, then smear all over the steaks. Preheat the grill until hot and line the grill pan with foil. Grill the steaks for 4 minutes on each side or until cooked, brushing over any excess glaze.
• While the pork is grilling, tip the couscous and spring onions into a bowl. Spoon the oil into the stock, pour onto the couscous and stir. Cover tightly with cling film and leave for 5-6 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
• Fluff up the couscous with a fork and stir in the tomatoes, then season. Spoon onto a warmed serving dish and top with the steaks and any pan juices.