Giant Cous Cous with Raisins and Almonds
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A fruity summer recipe. Quick and easy. Recipe from Ottolenghi.
Serves 4
You’ll need a large saucepan with lid.
Ingredients (when in italics available from the van)
250g giant couscous (approx £1.50)
10g boullion vegetable stock mixed with 500ml hot water (approx 15p)
½ tbsp olive oil (approx 15p)
60g raisins (approx 68p)
1 tsp ground cumin (approx 10p)
60g flaked almonds (can toast them if you want extra flavour) (approx £1.20)
1 lemon
15g dill leaves, roughly chopped
15g basil leaves, roughly torn
Total cost from Incredible Bulk approx £3.58
Method
Add the couscous to a medium lidded saucepan on a medium-high heat. Dry-toast the couscous until some of the pearls begin to colour, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and ¾ teaspoon of salt, bring to the boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook the couscous for 10 minutes, until all the liquid is absorbed. Turn the heat off and leave the couscous to sit, covered, for another 10 minutes.
While the couscous is cooking:
Place the raisins in a bowl, cover with about 50 millilitres boiling water and set aside to soak for 10 minutes before draining well.
Finely grate the lemon to give you 2 teaspoons of zest and place in a small bowl. Using a small, sharp knife, trim the tops and tails off the zested lemon. Cut down along its round curves, removing the skin and white pith. Release the segments from the lemon by slicing between the membranes and then cut each segment into rough chunks and add them to the zest. Squeeze any remaining juice from what’s left of the lemon into the same bowl, about a teaspoon.
After the couscous has rested for 10 minutes, remove the lid. Stir in the lemon zest, flesh, juice and the olive oil and leave to cool.
Add the raisins, cumin, almonds, herbs, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a good grind of black pepper to the couscous.
Serve - enjoy on its own or with parsley oil or pesto.
Zero Waste Tips
Buy your ingredients loose from your local refill shop to avoid single use packaging. Buy lemons loose without plastic packaging.
Look to grow your own herbs! Easy to grow on a windowsill.