Toasted Couscous with Almonds and Raisins

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups couscous
• 1⁄4 cup  slivered almonds
• 2  cups  vegetable stock or 2  cups  chicken stock
• 2  stalks celery, diced
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 1  pinch ground cumin
• 1  pinch cayenne pepper
• 1⁄2 cup raisins

Directions

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat.
2. Add the couscous and toast the grains, stirring or shaking the pan frequently, until the grains become brown and fragrant.
3. Transfer to a plate.
4. Add the almonds to the hot skillet and toast them in the same way, stirring frequently.
5. Transfer them to another plate.
6. Bring the stock to a boil with the celery, salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne.
7. Simmer about 3 minutes or until the celery is slightly softened.
8. Add the couscous and raisins to the saucepan and stir gently just to mix.
9. Cover the pan, remove from the heat, and allow to stand about 5 minutes or until the couscous is tender.
10. Add the almonds to the couscous and, with a fork, stir the mixture lightly to fluff up the grains.