Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts (Small Batch)

by Dorothy Reinhold on November 5, 2020


Print This Post Print This Post Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts is deceptively simple and decidedly flavorful with a large payoff for a small effort. It serves 1, but can easily be scaled up.

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts is deceptively simple and decidedly flavorful with a large payoff for a small effort. It serves 1, but can easily be scaled up.

Couscous is the genius grain that doesn’t actually need to cook, but rather re-hydrates in hot broth. It’s ready in, no kidding, 5 minutes.

And it makes a wonderful canvas for lots of flavors, starting with whether you use broth or water, continuing to what sort of spice you add, and finishing with whatever herbs or chunky things you add in or however you garnish it.

Oh, and you can make it easily in this small batch to serve 1 or 2, or multiply it by 4 or 6 to serve a larger crowd. 

There’s nothing tricky about it, so beginning cooks will always have success!

How to make Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts

Ingredients for Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts on ShockinglyDelicious.comFirst, as always, assemble all your ingredients. That way you’ll know you have everything on hand, ready to go.

Heat the oil in a small pot, toast the cumin, add the couscous and toast it, and then add the broth. It will sizzle mightily.

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.com

Turn off the heat and you’re almost done. All you have to do is add some cilantro and pine nuts, and it’s done!

Ideas for topping Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts

You can eat it plain, with cilantro and toasted pine nuts, or you can embellish with other things, depending on what you have on hand. Feel free to experiment!

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts and Figs on ShockinglyDelicious.comChopped dried figs are a natural. These are bite-sized Mission figs from California. Use whatever dried figs you can find.

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts and Persimmons on ShockinglyDelicious.comPerhaps slice a Fuyu persimmon. A Fuyu is the kind that is shaped like an orange-colored apple and you eat it when it is firm, not squishy. (Take a look at persimmon varieties here.)

Golden raisins on top of couscousGolden raisins are good on top.

Cranberries on top of couscousDried cranberries are good on top.

Fruits on top of couscousOr put all the fruits on, and revel in your harvest bowl!

Chicken and fruit on top of couscousYou could add cooked chicken to make it a one-bowl main dish.

Couscous Cumin Pine NutsOr serve it as a side dish alongside whatever protein you are eating on your plate.

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts

Prep Time: 4 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: Serves 1

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts is deceptively simple and decidedly flavorful with a large payoff for a small effort. It serves 1, but can easily be scaled up.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/3 cup couscous
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • Pinch table salt
  • Pinch pepper
  • 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts (or chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro (or parsley or chives)

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add cumin and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in couscous and cook until grains are just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  2. Stir in broth, salt and apper, cover, and remove pan from heat. Let sit until couscous is tender, about 5 minutes. Fluff grains with a fork, stir in pine nuts and cilantro (save a pinch of each for garnish if you like), and season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with any remaining cilantro and pine nuts.
  3. Serves 1.

Notes

Recipe source: "Cooking for One: Scaled Recipes, No-Waste Solutions & Time-Saving Tips," by America's Test Kitchen. Used with permission.

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/couscous-with-cumin-and-pine-nuts/

The cookbook

CookingForOne_Cookbook CoverThis recipe is from “Cooking for One: Scaled Recipes, No-Waste Solutions & Time-Saving Tips,” by America’s Test Kitchen (2o2o) affiliate link. As I have been adjusting to my new empty-nest household, I’m bound and determined not to resort to eating cereal for dinner just because I don’t have to cook for a lot of gaping maws anymore. And I don’t always want to make a dish that serves 6-8, and thus have to face down a week’s worth of leftovers. So this hardback cookbook with tons of recipes, all with full-color pictures, is coming in mighty handy.

It’s inspirational, as well, so when you don’t know what you want to eat, a flip through this book helps to narrow your focus. What do you have in in the fridge that needs using? Look for something you can do with that. All the recipes serve 1, unless they have a “makes leftovers” tag on it. Most, if not all, could easily be scaled up if you have another mouth or 2 to feed. I recommend this book for a gift for a singleton, a couple, empty nesters or even grandparents. There are recipes for everything, from the main event, sides to match or eat on their own, simple soups and stews, sandwiches and salads, one-pan dinners and something sweet.

pin this please!Pin the image below for Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts to your Pinterest board to save this recipe

Couscous with Cumin and Pine Nuts pantry recipe on ShockinglyDelicious.com

Looking for another Shockingly Delicious couscous salad?

Chicken and Israeli Couscous Vegetable Salad in a white bowl on a white counter

Chicken and Israeli Couscous Vegetable Salad

More holiday side dishes

My blogger friends and I have teamed up this week to bring you enough side dishes to get you through the entire season. Check out today’s recipes below:

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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Christie November 14, 2020 at 9:24 am

Cumin is one of my fave spices. This looks and sounds scrumptious.

Reply

Cathy November 9, 2020 at 2:18 pm

I could eat this couscous daily! Such a yummy flavor combo!

Reply

Sandra Shaffer November 9, 2020 at 9:00 am

This scaled down version is perfect for my husband and me, and I love all the ideas you gave us to make this uniquely ours. The addition of cranberries is first on my list.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold November 9, 2020 at 10:38 am

Sandra,
Yay! I loved it with cranberries. You can absolutely change up the nuts, too, like crans and pecans.

Reply

Beth November 9, 2020 at 7:07 am

Yummy! We love this recipe! I can’t wait to make this recipe again!

Reply

Catalina November 9, 2020 at 12:21 am

Love couscous! I will definitely try your recipe! Sounds so tasty!

Reply

Patricia @ Grab a Plate November 8, 2020 at 5:16 pm

What a great side! I love the addition of the variety of fruit! Super-colorful, too!

Reply

Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash November 8, 2020 at 2:21 pm

This Couscous is a perfect side dish and looks delicious. Your photographs are beautiful also.

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold November 9, 2020 at 10:38 am

Patricia,
Thank you! I always feel like I fall down on the job with photos, but it’s nice to hear you like them!

Reply

Toni Dash November 8, 2020 at 10:41 am

I love all those flavors!! Really amazing!

Reply

Kathleen P November 7, 2020 at 6:28 pm

I adore any couscous, but love that this has cumin and pine nuts and all of the great add ins! Going on our Christmas table this year!

Reply

Hezzi-D November 7, 2020 at 6:17 pm

This small batch recipe will be perfect for the holidays this year!

Reply

Lisa Kerhin November 7, 2020 at 9:16 am

I love cumin in dishes! What a great side dish

Reply

Karen November 6, 2020 at 4:55 pm

Love the sweet and savory with the figs! Very nice photos!

Reply

Dorothy Reinhold November 6, 2020 at 10:58 pm

Thanks Karen!

Reply

Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert November 6, 2020 at 4:49 pm

Wow, these Cumin and Pine Nuts are amazing!

Reply

Amanda November 6, 2020 at 4:04 pm

I can’t wait to try this out, it looks so good!

Reply

Wendy Klik November 6, 2020 at 2:53 pm

I always have couscous in the cupboard for when I need a quick side dish and I love the flavors you chose for this dish. Pine nuts are wonderful.

Reply

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