Get ready for a different couscous summer salad, bursting with flavor and crunchiness from the orange and almonds. The addition of coriander seeds is genius!
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I'm a baker, so I'm the appointed dessert maker by default in every friend's gathering. But every once in a while, I like to contribute a side dish.
I made this orange raisin couscous with almonds and coriander a few months ago for the first time. In an effort to use up all my grains and seeds I looked for an easy recipe to use it. This popped up immediately. I was with my mother at the time, and we devoured it.
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So when a new get-together with my friends came up, I decided to make this dish, not telling them about the coriander, of course. They got a healthy and flavorful side dish of couscous when they were expecting a dessert like chocolate raspberry tart or the chocolate velvet ice cream with cherry sauce. It's always chocolate with them.
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About coriander seeds.
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- Coriander seeds (image above, left) 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 are sold in most supermarkets and can be bought online, of course.
- They can be ground with a mortar and pestle (image above, left) or in a nut grinder, or coffee seed grinder which is what I use.
- A good way to make them more fragrant and flavorful is to lightly toast them before grinding them. I use my pancake skillet for that.
This recipe made me discover coriander as a seed, the kind 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 flavor and the other spices and it was just one more ingredient.
Here it's the supporting actor, and it takes the prize no doubt.
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About couscous.
Couscous are tiny rounds of crushed semolina, or durum wheat, a type of grain mostly used for making bread and pasta.
It's such an easy grain to make there really is no excuse.
- How to 'cook' couscous: you simply cover it with boiling water or other liquid (today we're using orange juice for example) and in about 5 minutes the liquid is absorbed and the couscous cooked.
The mix of orange and raisins gives it a slight sweetness that is balanced by the coriander and the parsley. And then you get the crunchy almonds.
A wonderful side dish, or in my case, a light lunch or dinner when I'm alone.
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Other recipes you might like:
Basmati Rice with Salsa Verde and Almonds
Spicy Turmeric Cauliflower
Orange Cinnamon Rolls
Orange Ricotta Cheesecake
Let me know if you make this recipe! I’d love to hear what you think about it.
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Orange, Raisin and Almond Couscous
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side dishes
- Cuisine: International
Description
This is a different couscous summer salad, bursting with flavor and crunchiness from the orange and almonds. The addition of coriander seeds is genius!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orange juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked instant couscous
- ⅓ cup raisins
- ⅓ cup chopped almonds
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 Tbs coriander seeds
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
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 couscous, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste in a medium bowl.
- In a small saucepan heat orange juice with the raisins and bring to a boil. Immediately pour it over couscous to cover. Cover the bowl and let stand 5 minutes. It should've absorbed the liquid.
- Fluff with a fork, add almonds, parsley, and crushed coriander seeds.
- 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 can be bought online, of course.
- They can be ground with a mortar and pestle (image above, left) or in a nut grinder, or coffee seed grinder which is what I use.
About couscous
- You can buy it online here.
- How to 'cook' couscous: you simply cover it with boiling water or other liquid (today we're using orange juice for example) and in about 5 minutes the liquid is absorbed and the couscous cooked.
Keywords: orange couscous, orange coriander couscous
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
Paula, I absolutely love the combination of flavors in this couscous. I bet it tastes amazing! This will be served on my table soon! Enjoy your week!
I love the flavor combinations in this dish! yum
I made this for dinner tonight and it was fantastic, even though when I opened the coriander jar there was a measly 1 tsp of seeds instead of the required 3 tbsp. I will be trying it again once I refill the coriander jar! I served it with slow cooked Moroccan chicken thighs. Superb!
I can only imagine how is with moroccan flavors! So glad you liked it, I eat it all the time.
What a great flavor combination! We'll be making this the next time we have couscous!
I love couscous but never seem to use just the grains to make a dish on its own without the lamb and vegetables. This looks fabulous and I love the addition of orange juice! Dessert? Side dish? I could eat just this alone! Perfect and bookmarked!
Looks great! I love couscous but haven't had it in ages, thanks for the recipe.
What a great recipe. I loved your orange coriander lentil soup! We generally make couscous at least once per week. It's the easy go-to side dish and this recipe will jazz it up.
I am looking forward to seeing what Pope Francis does with his influence.
Looks so great!! I love couscous, so the next time I'll do this recipe.
I have not cooked with couscous for such a long time, since discoverig quinoa. But this recipe looks fresh and tempting.
I hope my comment came through! In addition, I am with you - let us hope Pope Francis I makes some serious changes!