Lemon Herb Couscous with Toasted Almonds
In short: Fluffy couscous steamed in hot stock and tossed with lemon, parsley, mint, spring onions and toasted almonds. Ready in 20 minutes. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 5 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 350 kcal
Couscous is the quickest side there is: pour hot stock over it, cover it and walk away for five minutes. What turns it from bland to useful is what you add afterward. Here that is olive oil, lemon zest and juice, plenty of parsley and mint, spring onions and toasted almonds for crunch. It suits roast chicken, grilled fish, lamb and vegetable stews, and it can be served warm or cold.
Instructions
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes until golden. Set them aside.
- Put the couscous in a heatproof bowl with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the salt, and stir to coat the grains.
- Pour in the hot stock, stir once, cover tightly with a plate or foil and leave for 5 minutes, until all the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork, rubbing out any lumps between your fingers.
- Add the remaining oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, mint, spring onions and almonds and toss gently.
- Taste, season with salt and pepper and serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Use boiling hot liquid and measure it carefully. Too much makes the couscous mushy, and too little leaves it crunchy.
- Raisins or chopped apricots, a pinch of cinnamon and cumin, or cooked chickpeas make it a more substantial dish.
Questions and answers
Can I make couscous ahead of time?
Yes. Fluff it, cool it and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve it cold, or reheat it with a splash of water in a covered pan or in the microwave.
Is couscous gluten-free?
No. Couscous is made from wheat semolina, so it contains gluten. Quinoa and rice are gluten-free alternatives.
What is the ratio of couscous to water?
Use equal volumes of couscous and boiling liquid, for example 1 cup of couscous to 1 cup of stock. A little oil keeps the grains separate.
How long does it take to make Lemon Herb Couscous with Toasted Almonds?
About 15 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lemon Herb Couscous with Toasted Almonds?
About 350 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 350 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 320 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
