Description
Ina Garten’s curried couscous brings Mediterranean flavors with a delightful spice twist. Lemon-kissed herbs and fragrant curry powder create a zesty side dish that makes weeknight dinners feel like a culinary adventure you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups dry couscous
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
- ½ cup dried currants or raisins
- ½ cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
Vegetables and Herbs:
- ½ cup small-diced carrots
- ¼ cup small-diced red onion
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
Seasonings and Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup plain yogurt (Greek or regular)
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup blanched, sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a medium-sized vessel, pour the couscous and set aside. Bring water to a rolling boil and dissolve butter completely into the liquid.
- Gently cascade the hot butter-infused water over the couscous, ensuring full coverage. Seal the container tightly with a lid or plastic wrap, allowing the grains to steam and absorb moisture for precisely 5 minutes.
- After resting, use a fork to delicately separate and aerate the couscous, creating a light and fluffy texture without compressing the grains.
- Craft the aromatic dressing by whisking together tangy yogurt, robust olive oil, zesty vinegar, warming curry powder, vibrant turmeric, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smoothly integrated.
- Pour the spiced dressing over the fluffed couscous, using a fork to distribute the liquid evenly and coat each grain with the complex flavor profile.
- Introduce a colorful medley of julienned carrots, chopped fresh parsley, sweet dried currants, toasted sliced almonds, thinly sliced scallions, and finely diced red onions into the seasoned couscous.
- Thoroughly incorporate all ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of vegetables and nuts throughout the grain mixture.
- Perform a final seasoning adjustment, adding additional salt and freshly cracked black pepper to elevate the dish’s taste according to personal preference.
- Allow the salad to rest at ambient temperature, permitting flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
Notes
- Crunch adds excitement when almonds transform from pale to golden in a dry pan, releasing nutty aromas.
- Fresh herbs like parsley and scallions burst with vibrant flavors, elevating the entire couscous experience.
- Gentle fork movements separate each tiny grain, creating a light and fluffy texture that feels amazing.
- Tasting reveals hidden flavor potential – adjust salt and pepper to make every bite perfectly balanced.
- Resting allows ingredients to mingle and settle, bringing out deeper, more harmonious taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg