This is a unique and flavorful couscous salad, citrusy and crunchy. It can be customized with different add-ins besides the orange, coriander, and raisins. It can be made ahead, making a fantastic light lunch or addition to a buffet table.
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This Moroccan orange couscous is a bright and fresh grain salad.
An excellent side dish, light lunch, or addition to a barbecue table, potluck, or outside gathering.
The grain is semolina, and we love it. Remember the semolina bread recipe? One of our most popular ones.
This dish comes together easily and quickly, and I think it should become part of your repertoire, especially during hot weather months.
The couscous with orange juice and raisins give it a slight sweetness balanced by the coriander and the parsley. And then you get the crunchy almonds.
About couscous
Couscous is made from tiny granules or rounds of crushed semolina, or steamed and dried durum wheat, a type of grain mostly used for making bread and pasta.
It has a light, fluffy texture and a slightly nutty flavor that makes it a versatile ingredient in many dishes.
It’s typically served with stews, vegetables, and meat or fish. It's also used in salads, as a side dish, or as a base for grain bowls.
It's such an easy grain to make that there is no excuse.
How to cook couscous
You'll be using the same measuring container (cup for example) for the grain and the liquid.
- Measure 1 cup of couscous and place it in a medium bowl.
- Add salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
- Boil water and add the same amount to the couscous (1 cup in this case).
- Add a drizzle of olive oil, mix lightly, cover (I use a plate or lid from a pot), and let stand 5 minutes. It will completely absorb the liquid.
- Fluff with a fork to break up any clumps and separate the grains. Let it cool down before adding the rest of the ingredients, fluffing a few more times.
You can use other liquid like broth, and butter instead of oil.
About coriander seeds
- Coriander seeds are round and brownish, the seed part of the plant that also gives us fresh coriander, the herb that is so popular. Here is a more nerdy explanation, the kind I like to read.
- They're sold in most supermarkets, and you can buy coriander seeds online.
- They can be ground with a mortar and pestle or in a nut grinder, or coffee seed grinder, which is what I use.
- You can lightly toast them before grinding them, to make them more fragrant and flavorful. I use my pancake skillet for that.
This recipe made me discover coriander as a seed that is generally used lightly toasted and crushed in a mortar.
So far, I had only been using it whole in curries, where it got mixed with the coconut milk and the other spices, and it was just one more ingredient.
Here it's the supporting actor, and it takes the prize.
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Moroccan Couscous Salad
A unique and flavorful couscous salad, citrusy and crunchy. It can be made ahead, making a fantastic lunch or addition to a buffet table.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup orange juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked instant couscous
- â…“ cup raisins
- â…“ cup chopped almonds
- â…“ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons of coriander seeds
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Extras: carrots, red bell pepper, zucchini
Instructions
- In a clean skillet, over low heat, very lightly toast coriander seeds. Be careful not to burn them. Let them cool.
- Transfer to a mortar and crush with the pestle. You can also grind them in a seed or coffee bean grinder. But don't turn them into a powder.
- Put the couscous, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. It will be uneven.
- In a small saucepan, heat the orange juice with the raisins and bring to a boil.
- Immediately pour over couscous to cover. Cover the bowl with a lid or plate, and let stand 5 minutes. It should absorb the liquid.
- Fluff with a fork, add almonds, parsley, and crushed coriander seeds.
- Add extras if using any of them. You can use them raw or roasted. Cut them in small bites.
- Check olive oil, salt, and pepper and add more if necessary.
- Serve immediately or cover and keep refrigerated.
- Take out a half hour before serving.
Notes
Coriander seeds:
- They are sold in most supermarkets and you can buy coriander seeds online.
- They can be ground with a mortar and pestle, a nut grinder, or a coffee seed grinder, which is what I use.
Couscous: you can buy couscous online or at the grocery store.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Side dishes
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 13.9 g
- Sodium: 156.1 mg
- Fat: 21.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 6.2 g
- Protein: 9.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Moroccan couscous salad
Originally from Let the Flames Begin, by C.Schlesinger and J.Willoughby, via The Best American Recipes 2003-04, by F.McCullough and M.Stevens
Cocoa and Lavender says
Oh, my! This sounds fantastic and combines many of my favorite flavors. Coriander is a spice my mother used a lot when I was young. Odd, because we lived in suburban perfection. Basil was considered exotic! How on earth did she find coriander? This will be perfect with many of my favorite Moroccan dishes! ~ David
Katie says
Yes, yes, and yes! I absolutely love couscous and probably make a variation of it every week in some way. I haven't served it cold very much though - I want to try it out!
Lyn @LovelyPantry says
What a beautiful plate of couscous! This dish, for me also, would be a light dinner. Perfectly so.
Jennie Phaneuf says
Paula, this side dish looks delicious. I love the flavors.
Family Foodie says
What an absolutely gorgeous recipe! Coriander is very popular in Portugal and I love the flavor it adds.
Rebecca Subbiah says
this looks so good, bookmarked it to make soon 🙂
Guru Uru says
Mmmm this looks so delicious my friend, I have never heard of sweeter couscous 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Anne @ Webicurean says
Cracked coriander seeds are literally my favorite part the chicken cashew curry we make here. This salad sounds refreshing. I haven't made couscous in forever, but now I want to try this!
Laura Hunter says
I love couscous, it is a perfect blank canvas that can be made into anything and to top it all off it is incredibly easy. Thanks for sharing such a great version
Katy says
This looks absolutely lovely - perfect addition to a barbecue!