Spiced And Steamed Couscous With Brown Butter 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 WITH GRILLED HALLOUMI AND STEAMED VEGGIES

Steps:

• Start by heating your oven to about 350°F Brush the tomatoes with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper and place on a baking tray.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes until soft.
• A few minutes after the tomatoes go in, place the broccoli and beans in a steamer and steam for about 6 minutes, or until just tender.
• At the same time as you start the broccoli cooking, mix the couscous and spices in a large bowl, pour over the hot stock, cover and leave for 5 minutes.
• Finally, heat up a frying pan or griddle and cook the halloumi for about 2 minutes on both sides until brown.
• Mix the broccoli and beans into the couscous along with the lemon juice.
• Pile onto places and place the tomatoes around the edge of the plate.
• Top with the halloumi, season and serve.

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.

STEAMED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned. Add the chicken stock, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a full boil. Stir in the couscous, turn off the heat, cover, and allow to steam for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve hot.

SPICED AND STEAMED COUSCOUS WITH BROWN BUTTER

Steps:

• Spread out couscous on a rimmed baking sheet. Bring stock, cinnamon stick, 2 star anise pods, 2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. coriander seeds, and 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until salt is dissolved, about 4 minutes. Let cool. Strain stock over couscous; discard solids. Let sit, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and grains begin to swell, 10-15 minutes. Rake and rub couscous with your hands until no clumps remain.
• Pour water into a large pot to come 1" up sides. Add garlic, remaining 2 star anise pods, remaining 1/2 tsp. coriander seeds, and remaining 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds and bring to a gentle simmer. Transfer couscous to a steamer basket or a colander and set inside pot, making sure couscous is not touching water. The sides of the steamer basket should be in direct contact with the pot; this forces the steam up through the couscous instead of around the sides. (If there's a gap between the steamer and the pot, fill it in with crumpled foil.) Steam, uncovered, gently tossing occasionally, until steam escapes through couscous, 15-20 minutes.
• Spread out couscous on a clean baking sheet, discarding any grains that may have stuck to steamer basket. Drizzle 1/4 cup cold water over couscous to moisten. Let cool slightly, then rub couscous to break up any clumps.
• Pour fresh water into pot to come 1" up sides and steam couscous again, tossing occasionally, until tender and nearly tripled in size, 15-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium, stirring often, and cook until it foams, then browns, 5-8 minutes.
• Transfer couscous back to rimmed baking sheet and toss with a slotted spoon to remove any remaining clumps. Drizzle with brown butter and toss to coat. Taste couscous and season with more salt if needed.
• Do Ahead
• Couscous can be steamed once 4 hours ahead. Store on baking sheet at room temperature. Steam the second time just before serving.