Orange Couscous

My version of a couscous recipe from a Jean Pare holiday cookbook -- this delicious dish is very easy to prepare and makes a wonderful side dish when served beside seafood, chicken, turkey, or pork. If you want a vegetarian dish, simply substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock. Standing time is included in the prep time.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped onion
• 1⁄2 cup  diced celery
• 1  clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 1 (10 ounce) can chicken broth, undiluted (substitute vegetable stock if you want a vegetarian dish)
• 1  cup  orange juice
• 2⁄3 cup water
• 1  dash cayenne pepper (preferably a generous dash)
• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1  teaspoon  freshly grated orange zest
• 2  cups couscous
• 2  tablespoons  finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

1. In a large heavy saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and saute onion, celery and garlic until celery starts to soften.
2. Stir in stock, water and juice and combine well.
3. Add cayenne and raisins, stir, and turn heat to high and bring to a boil.
4. When boiling, stir in zest and couscous, turn off heat, remove pot from hot burner and let sit, tightly covered, for 10 minutes.
5. Fluff well and serve, garnished with parsley if you wish.