Couscous

A traditional side dish of North African, commonly known as a Moroccan staple served with stewy things like Tagine. But essentially, I just use it like rice - serve it with anything!A light sprinkle of fresh herbs adds welcome colour, or fruit and nuts to add interest. Me, I do both! Exceptional served with Vegetable Tagine.Makes 5 cups (fluffed)

Prep time: PT3M

Cook time: PT10M

Rating

4.8 stars (10 reviews)

Keywords

couscous

Ingredients

2 cups couscous
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock (, low sodium)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp coriander/cilantro (, finely chopped)
2 tbsp parsley (, finely chopped)
1/3 cup dried apricots (, chopped)
1/3 cup currants or sultanas
2 tbsp slivered almonds (, toasted)

Cuisine

Middle Eastern
Moroccan

Steps

Heat chicken stock until boiling using whatever method you choose (stove, 3 - 4 minutes in microwave on high).
Pour over couscous in a heatproof bowl. Shake to level the couscous, cover with plate (or cling wrap).
Leave for 10 minutes, then fluff with fork. Stir through olive oil, lemon juice and salt.
Stir through either herbs or fruit & nuts. Or as I do, use it all! Keep warm until ready to use. Ideal served with Tagine, or anything Middle Eastern.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 253 kcal
Carbohydrates: 46 g
Protein: 9 g
Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Sodium: 225 mg
Sugar: 1 g

Reviews

Andrew Potter on 2026-04-20 (4 stars):
Mine turned out quite lumpy, not fluffy unfortunately
Jan on 2026-02-21 (5 stars):
Nagi - love all your recpes- keep up the great work!!!
Helyne on 2026-01-28 (4 stars):
I love your recipies but sadly always change them to what is in my pantry/fridge. Sorry about that lol Looked at your cous cous how to do. I havemade it many times but never thought about one of my fav ingredients. LEMON! Thanks. So added chopped dates, craisons, walnuts and Chopped spring onions delicious. I guess that is why I love cous cous look in the fridge and go for it. But the lemon is new for me.
Kate on 2022-12-06 (5 stars):
Making this one again for guests tonight, along with other recipes from Arabian feast. I also "add everything" which is craisins, dried apricots, slivered almonds and chopped fresh parsley and mint. So, so good with Chicken or Lamb shawarma, roasted veg, hummus, yoghurt sauce and the red cabbage salad. Hope we have left overs!!!!
Charles Pascual on 2022-10-19 (5 stars):
Prepared the couscous according to directions on my package (different cook time) but otherwise followed your recipe - chicken broth in place of water is a winner - garnished with your suggested toasted almonds and parsley. Served with your Chicken Tagine - both recipes are keepers.
Amy Morgan on 2021-11-06 (5 stars):
We made the fruit and nut kind to go with the tagine and it was just perfect!
WordofMouthManly on 2021-11-03 (5 stars):
Another fabulous recipe from Nagi. I'm hooked on her recipes now. If you follow her instructions and tips, its a no brainer.
Hollis Ramsey on 2021-09-23 (5 stars):
I have barberries instead of currants/sultanas and toasted pine nuts instead of almonds. It’ll be awesome!
Kea Tunnell on 2021-08-06 (5 stars):
De-lic-ious!! Added some (quite a lot) ginger and used Raz-el-Hanout instead of spice mix (lazy)..... but wonderful!
lee uk on 2021-02-24 (5 stars):
Love couscous so simple so nice, so go with anything andDefo go with the all in strategy just two things for me sultanas only and pre soak in promeganite juice or other till nice and plump and juicy and if you desire heat add the best quality genuine hot smoked paprika you can afford to the stock. Doing this again with the Syrian chicken.mmmmm. Many thanks.