Ina Garten’s Perfect Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts Recipe

Couscous offers a fluffy, fast-cooking base that adapts beautifully to countless flavor profiles.

Toasted pine nuts introduce richness and crunch, elevating each bite.

Mediterranean seasonings weave through the dish with subtle depth.

A few pantry staples come together to create something elegant in under 20 minutes.

Versatile and light, it works well with grilled meats, vegetables, or on its own.

Expect it to become a trusted side for any meal.

Why Couscous and Pine Nuts Make the Perfect Pair

• Savor Luxurious Caramelized Flavor: The slow-cooked onions create a deep, rich sweetness that transforms ordinary couscous into an extraordinary culinary experience, releasing subtle caramel notes that complement the tender grain perfectly.
• Elevate with Nutty Crunch: Toasted pine nuts add a spectacular textural contrast, introducing a golden, buttery crispness that breaks through the soft couscous, providing an unexpected and sophisticated layer of excitement to each bite.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 20 minutes, making it an ideal solution for home cooks wanting to create impressive dishes without spending hours in the kitchen, proving that elegant meals can be surprisingly simple to prepare.
• Versatile Comfort Meets Elegance: The dish works brilliantly as a side or standalone meal, offering flexibility for busy weeknights or elegant dinner parties, showcasing how a few quality ingredients can transform a basic grain into something truly memorable.

Gather the Ingredients for a Toasted Twist

Main Ingredients:

• Couscous: Small pasta with a light, fluffy texture that absorbs flavors beautifully and cooks quickly.
• Chicken Stock: Rich liquid that adds depth of flavor and moisture to the couscous, creating a more savory dish.

• Butter, Onion: Classic combination that builds a rich, sweet foundation for the couscous, providing depth and warmth.

• Pine Nuts: Nutty, buttery ingredient that adds crunch and richness when toasted.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that brings freshness and color to the final dish, enhancing overall flavor profile.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Light, Fluffy Couscous That Steals the Show

Step 1: Sauté Sweet Onions

Grab a large saucepan and melt butter over gentle heat. Add finely chopped onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until they turn soft and translucent without browning.

• Butter
• Chopped onions

Cooking time: 8-10 minutes on medium-low heat.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Liquid Base

Pour chicken stock into the pan with onions. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, allowing flavors to blend beautifully.

• Chicken stock
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Steam Fluffy Couscous

Remove pan from heat and sprinkle couscous across the surface. Cover immediately and let it rest, allowing grains to absorb liquid and become wonderfully tender.

• Couscous

Steaming time: 10 minutes

Step 4: Enhance With Crunchy Nuts

Gently fluff couscous with a fork, creating light and airy texture. Fold in toasted pine nuts and freshly chopped parsley for incredible depth and brightness.

• Toasted pine nuts
• Fresh parsley

Step 5: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer couscous to a serving dish. Enjoy as a delightful side or standalone meal that celebrates simple, elegant flavors.

Easy Tips for Flawless Fluff and Crunch

• Prevent Pine Nut Burning: Watch pine nuts like a hawk when toasting, as they can quickly turn from golden to charred. A watchful eye and constant stirring in a low-heat dry pan ensure perfect, nutty flavor without bitterness.
• Boost Stock Temperature: Warm chicken stock is crucial for even couscous cooking. Hot liquid helps grains absorb flavors faster and ensures a consistent, tender texture throughout the dish.
• Master Steaming Technique: Cover the pan tightly after adding couscous and resist the urge to peek. Undisturbed steaming for exactly 10 minutes creates that dreamy, light, and fluffy couscous texture every time.
• Slice Onions Strategically: Finely chopped onions melt into the couscous, distributing flavor evenly without overwhelming the delicate grain. Uniform, small pieces ensure balanced taste in every bite.
• Fork Fluffing Finesse: Gently separate couscous grains using a fork, treating them like delicate clouds. This method keeps the texture airy and prevents the dreaded clumpy, mushy result.

Store Leftovers and Bring Back That Toast

• Long-Term Preservation: Freeze couscous in portions using vacuum-sealed bags to maintain maximum freshness. Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn and preserve original texture and flavor.
• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Cool couscous rapidly by spreading it on a wide, flat surface before transferring to an airtight container. This method prevents moisture buildup and stops bacterial growth, extending its refrigerator life to 3-4 days.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Revive refrigerated or frozen couscous by adding a splash of broth or water, then gently warming in a covered microwave-safe dish. Stir midway through heating to ensure even temperature distribution and prevent dryness.

Mix-Ins That Take It to the Next Level

• Mediterranean Pine Nut Boost: Enhance the recipe by adding crumbled feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy Mediterranean touch.
• Spicy Moroccan Kick: Incorporate harissa paste and ground cumin to transform the couscous into a zesty, warmly spiced side dish.
• Vegetable Power Blend: Mix in roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and caramelized carrots to create a hearty and nutritious vegetarian version.
• Herb Garden Special: Replace parsley with a mix of fresh mint, cilantro, and chives for a vibrant, aromatic herbal profile that elevates the overall flavor complexity.

A Forkful of Toasted Goodness to End It All

Mediterranean flavors dance through Ina Garten’s couscous recipe, showcasing elegant simplicity and rich culinary traditions.

Pine nuts provide a delicate crunch, complementing the tender couscous and aromatic herbs.

Butter-softened onions create a luxurious foundation for this Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Parsley adds fresh brightness, elevating the entire composition with its verdant notes.

Garten’s recipe demonstrates how minimal ingredients can create maximum gastronomic pleasure.

Savor each forkful, share this delightful recipe with friends, and spread culinary joy across your social networks—comment, like, and inspire fellow cooking enthusiasts to explore these delectable Mediterranean nuances.

Ina Garten Couscous With Toasted Pine Nuts Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s couscous with toasted pine nuts delivers Mediterranean magic on a plate. Fragrant herbs, nutty pine nuts, and fluffy grains create a simple yet elegant side dish perfect for elevating weeknight dinners or impressing dinner guests.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups couscous (12 ounces)
• 3 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups chopped yellow onion (2 onions)
• ½ cup minced fresh parsley

Seasonings and Extras:

• 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup pine nuts, toasted

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Instructions

1. In a spacious cooking vessel, gently liquefy butter over medium-low temperature, allowing it to transform without burning.
2. Introduce finely diced onions into the melted butter, delicately sautéing for 8-10 minutes while stirring intermittently until they soften and become translucent, avoiding any browning.
3. Pour chicken stock into the pan, seasoning generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
4. Bring the liquid mixture to a vigorous rolling boil, creating an intense heat environment.
5. Remove the pan from heat source, sprinkle couscous evenly across the surface, and immediately cover with a tight-fitting lid.
6. Allow the couscous to steam undisturbed for precisely 10 minutes, enabling the grains to absorb the flavorful liquid and become tender.
7. Using a fork, gently separate and aerate the couscous grains, creating a light and fluffy texture.
8. Incorporate toasted pine nuts, providing a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to the dish.
9. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant green color and herbaceous aroma.
10. Transfer to a serving platter, presenting a warm, aromatic side dish that can accompany multiple main courses or stand alone as a light meal.

Notes

• Fluff the couscous delicately with a fork to maintain its light, airy texture without crushing the delicate grains.
• Dice onions into tiny, uniform pieces to ensure they melt seamlessly into the dish, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Steam the couscous undisturbed, allowing it to absorb the hot stock completely and develop a perfectly fluffy consistency.
• Warm the chicken stock before adding couscous to guarantee even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Carefully toast pine nuts in a dry pan, watching closely and stirring constantly to prevent burning and enhance their nutty aroma.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Steaming
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 39g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 0mg