Couscous With Dried Apricots, Currants, and Pistachios

"From an old Gourmet magazine, this dish serves 16 but can be cut in half to make a family side dish that will last for leftovers!"
 
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photo by I'mPat photo by I'mPat
photo by I'mPat
photo by Leggy Peggy photo by Leggy Peggy
photo by LifeIsGood photo by LifeIsGood
photo by kitty.rock photo by kitty.rock
photo by Queen Dana photo by Queen Dana
Ready In:
25mins
Ingredients:
10
Serves:
16
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ingredients

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directions

  • In each of two 3-quart saucepans bring half of water, oil, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and apricots to a boil. Stir 1 box couscous into each pan and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to 2 shallow baking pans to cool as quickly as possible. Cool couscous completely and with your fingers break up any large lumps. Couscous may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring couscous to room temperature before proceeding.
  • Fluff couscous with fork again and stir in currants, pistachios, mint, and salt and pepper to taste.

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Reviews

  1. I scaled for 4 serves and used 3/4 cups couscous to 1 cup water and left all other ingredients the same but found myself without cinnamon sticks so used 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and also used sultanas in place of the currants which all worked well for us and was thoroughly enjoyed, thank you CaliforniaJan, made for ZAAR Stars.
     
  2. Fantastic combination of ingredients and flavours. We loved every bite. I made a half a batch in the afternoon, and then served it for dinner with Recipe #191946. Thanks so very much for posting. I will make again and again.
     
  3. I was surprised that I liked this recipe as much as I did. I thought it was fantastic. The pistachios were my favorite addition. Easy to make earlier in the day and serve later. Thank you! ~Made for Zee Zesties on the ZWT6~
     
  4. Loved this couscous - lots of great flavours happening here and I really liked the crunch of the pistachios. Thanks for a great recipe.
     
  5. Enjoying this for lunch this week. Love the pistachios, apricots, and mint in this! I felt that the cumin was a bit strong and the cinnamon not strong enough, so next time I will play around with it and probably use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks. Also, I would cook the couscous in chicken broth instead of water to up the flavor even more. Thanks for sharing! Made for ZWT6.
     
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Tweaks

  1. I scaled for 4 serves and used 3/4 cups couscous to 1 cup water and left all other ingredients the same but found myself without cinnamon sticks so used 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and also used sultanas in place of the currants which all worked well for us and was thoroughly enjoyed, thank you CaliforniaJan, made for ZAAR Stars.
     
  2. Enjoying this for lunch this week. Love the pistachios, apricots, and mint in this! I felt that the cumin was a bit strong and the cinnamon not strong enough, so next time I will play around with it and probably use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks. Also, I would cook the couscous in chicken broth instead of water to up the flavor even more. Thanks for sharing! Made for ZWT6.
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I am a native Californian, born in the Los Angeles area, college in far northern California and now living in southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. I love kids and animals. I am an active volunteer at my two teenage daughters' high school as well as a Girl Scout leader. We have two guinea pigs, one Dalmatian, one cockatiel, and one quarter-horse to keep us busy. I had a career as a marketing writer before I became a full-time mom and volunteer, but I still write all the time as well as participate in a monthly book club. I stay active and have Jazzercized for over 25 years on a regular basis. I also am trying to do some yoga now and ride horses for fun. I have loved getting involved in the RecipeZaar games and learning how to post the photos. I am currently playing on the Zaar World Tour and it is lots of fun! Have been a sports fan since childhood and definitely have enjoyed getting to know about hockey since we have a very successful NHL franchise in our area: Go Sharks! <img src="http://static.flickr.com/1310/902139984_71e1ab56a5.jpg" width="399" height="270"> <img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/participantbannerzwt5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"> <img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/chefpaulag/final-1.jpg"> <img src="http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa130/nowsonexitmusic/bumbag5.gif?t=1211686551"> <img src="http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p241/CulinaryQueen/zaargroupie.gif" width="300" height="220"> <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w115/bugh8er/food%20and%20swaps/400035_d7f1b969-m3_1217872626.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"> <img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j10/housedaughter/de.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"> <img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2/kiwidutch/My-3-Chefs%20banners/my3chefs2008Small.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"> <img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/Game%20Room%20Banners/123hitwonders.jpg" width="399" height="150"> <img src="http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a132/tgifford/Game%20Room%20Banners/holiday-tag2-copy.gif" width="399" height="140"> <img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/adoptedspring08.jpg"width="290" height="140"> <img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j10/housedaughter/fg.jpg" border="0" alt="F and G Swap">
 
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