Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis, 2008

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Healthy Snacks

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (16)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(16)

Cook Time:
2 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 2 min
Inactive Prep: 10 min
Cook: 2 min
Total:: 14 min

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Ingredients

2 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/3 cup dried cherries, chopped
2 1/2 cups (about 1 pound) couscous
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted slivered almonds
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted and skinned hazelnuts
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, if desired

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cranberries, apricots, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid until the couscous has absorbed all of the cooking liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Using a fork, fluff the couscous to break up any lumps. Add the almonds and hazelnuts and toss. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet until completely cooled, about 10 minutes.

Transfer the couscous to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestion: Drizzle the couscous with 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit
lauren Lopatcong Township, NJ 10-12-2009
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What a great snack!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I saw Giada make this and just had to try it. It was easy and so delicious. I only had 2 cups of couscous and it was... perfect with 2 cups. I did not add the oil and I don't think it is actually necessary. Great snack to pack up and take anywhere!Read more
recipe Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit
Monica Athens, GA 10-03-2009
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Light, Filling, and Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I read some of the other ratings about the coucous being a bit dry, so I only added 2 cups of couscous insted of 2 1/2, and I... added the olive oil while I was fluffying it instead of before serving. Pine nuts worked well, as I was not able to find hazelnuts. It was so light and filling at the same time. A perfect afternoon work snack for me. One tip, using light olive oil is better than extra virgin. The extra virgin adds a funky flavor to this sweet dish.Read more
recipe Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit
Evelyn North Las Vegas, NV 09-20-2009
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TOO GOOD TO CHANGE
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I am always looking for a good breakfast,sanck,and all around treat. The first time i saw Giada make this I was not too... inclined into making it but i had to give something so easy and healthy looking a try. I made it as is, no changes no substitutes and it is the best. My whole family loved it even my 7 year old and that was amazing. I am all for tweeking recipes to please me and my family but this is one recipe i will not be tweeking. I strongly suggest that you try this recipe first as is. Just give it a try, and make your adjustments from there. Personally I won't be making many changes to the recipe. It's Delicious. Oh and on another note, I really enjoyed it cold. Happy Cooking!Read more
recipe Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit
SUZETTE KIRKLAND, WA 07-10-2009
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MMMMM GOOD
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

JUST FINISHED MAKING THIS DISH. FIRST TIME MAKING COUSCOUS. LIKE OTHERS I MADE ADJUSTMENTS. USED SLIVERED ALOMONDS... ONLY,TOASTED OFCOURSE. I USED A MIXTURE OF DRIED FRUITS WHICH HAD GOLDEN RAISINS, CHERRIES, BLUEBERRIES AND CRANBERRIES 8OZ BAG. FROM TRADER JOES. NEXT TIME I WOULD USE 1 TO 1 RATIO FOR THE WATER AND COUSCOUS. AND JUST A DASH OF SALT. AFTER SPREADING ON COOKIE SHEET I ADDED THE ZEST OF ONE LEMON. THAT BRIGHTENED IT UP. AND JUST A DRIZZLE OF OLIVE OIL. WILL MAKE THIS AGAIN!! IRead more
recipe Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit
Joyce Sanford, NC 07-03-2009
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All things to all people
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe blends will with substitutes of any and everything except, of course, the couscous. I'm known for "never"... following the recipe, but you can't mess this one up. It's a snack, holiday stuffing, breakfast, dinner side dish....the works. The church supper gal...they just didn't try it, they would have cleaned the bowl. Save it for your family. I'm hooked.Read more
recipe Sweet Couscous with Nuts and Dried Fruit
jodi fort ann, NY 07-01-2009
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FAST, FRESH, AND FABULOUS !
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made it as a side dish with chicken breasts. It was fast, fresh and fabulous. I added the olive oil at the end as Giada... suggested. it wasn't dry as some have said it was wonderful. I will make this again and again. it would be a great subsitute for holiday stuffing , thanksgiving as well as an everyday snack, or sidedish..Read more