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Recipe: Couscous with Raisins, Pine Nuts, and Capers

2009_10_09-couscous.jpgHere's a new recipe to add to the list of ideas for quick and flavorful couscous. We're nicknaming it "Couscous Veneziana," as it was inspired by the toppings on our favorite Veneziana pizza at London's PizzaExpress (a rather more elegant chain than the name suggests)...

 
 

However, "alla Siciliana" might actually be more appropriate, as our dish contains classic Sicilian ingredients like couscous, raisins, capers, and pine nuts. Together, they create a richly layered combination of savory, salty, and sweet. As it turns out, we might even like this couscous version better than the pizza that inspired it. With a 20 minute prep and cooking time, it's certainly quicker than jetting off to London, anyway!

Couscous with Raisins, Pine Nuts, and Capers
Serves 4

1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup couscous
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a medium saucepan, bring water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, raisins, and salt to a boil. Add couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat remaining tablespoon olive oil in a pan and sauté onion until golden brown.

Fluff couscous with a fork and mix in onions, pine nuts, and capers. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Related: Dinner Quick: 10 Flavorful Couscous Recipes

(Image: Emily Ho)

Tags

Side Dish, Restaurant Reproductions, Vegetarian, Pasta, Quick, Italian, Vegan, Rice & Grains, Easy, couscous, capers, raisins, pine nuts

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Comments (5)

Sounds good, and I think I actually have all these things in my pantry right now.

posted by Rivercat0338 on October 9th 2009 at 7:07pm
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Looks fabulous! I'll be making this soon.

posted by moonischasingme1 on October 11th 2009 at 7:15am
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This looks awesome!
Now my question is, could I substitute the couscous with quinoa?

posted by staria on October 11th 2009 at 11:22pm
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@staria Couscous has a more neutral flavor and quinoa might add a somewhat different, nutty flavor to the dish -- but I think it would still be great. Quinoa also cooks differently, so I would suggest using this preparation method before adding the other ingredients. Let us know how it turns out!

posted by Emily Ho on October 12th 2009 at 12:59am
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this is delicious. i needed a quick working lunch, and this was on the table in fifteen minutes flat. i subbed white onion for red [and caramelized it a bit for sweetness] and tiny zante currants for golden raisins. dried cranberries would have been good too.

i love this kind of recipe--a quick hot meal is so much better than a cold sandwich on cloudy days!

posted by monaery on October 12th 2009 at 12:24pm
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