Description
Mediterranean-inspired roasted vegetable couscous with pine nuts brings robust flavors from Ina Garten’s classic recipe. Ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a delightful side dish you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 260g (9.2 oz / 9.2 fl oz) couscous
- 700 milliliters (23.7 fl oz / 23.7 oz) chicken stock
- 75g (2.6 oz / 2.6 fl oz) toasted pine nuts
- 55g (1.9 oz / 1.9 fl oz) unsalted butter
- 3–4 shallots, finely chopped (about 75g / 0.75 cup)
- 40g (1.4 oz / 1.4 fl oz) currants
- 0.5 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Butter Preparation: Melt butter in a spacious saucepan over medium-low heat, creating a golden foundation for sautéing shallots.
- Shallot Infusion: Sauté finely chopped shallots in melted butter for 3 minutes until soft and translucent, releasing a delicate, sweet fragrance.
- Liquid Seasoning: Pour chicken stock into the pan, seasoning with salt and black pepper to elevate the flavor profile, then bring to a vigorous boil.
- Couscous Steaming: Remove from heat, add couscous, cover with a tight lid, and let rest for 10 minutes to allow complete hydration and tender absorption of the stock.
- Ingredient Integration: Uncover and fluff the couscous with a fork, then gently fold in toasted pine nuts, dried currants, and freshly chopped parsley to create a vibrant, textured side dish.
- Serving: Present the warm couscous immediately, showcasing a fragrant Mediterranean-inspired accompaniment that delights the palate.
Notes
- Butter Brilliance: Use unsalted butter for precise flavor control and better seasoning management.
- Shallot Secrets: Finely chop shallots uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced texture throughout the dish.
- Stock Selection: Choose high-quality chicken stock for deeper, richer flavor that elevates the entire couscous preparation.
- Resting Ritual: Keep the lid tightly sealed during the 10-minute resting period to trap steam and ensure perfectly hydrated couscous grains.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg