Raisin Apricot and Couscous Stuffing
Elevate your holiday table or weeknight dinner with this Raisin Apricot and Couscous Stuffing, a vibrant medley of sweet and savory flavors. This recipe brings together fluffy couscous, tender dried fruits like raisins and apricots, and aromatic spices such as cinnamon and cumin for a unique twist on classic stuffing. Sautéed onions and celery lend a savory base, while fresh parsley and mint brighten the dish with their herbal pop. A touch of chicken or vegetable stock ties all the flavors together for a perfectly moist and flavorful stuffing, finished with the satisfying crunch of toasted slivered almonds. Whether served warm as an elegant side dish or tucked into your favorite poultry, this quick-to-make stuffing is sure to leave an impression. Perfect for vegetarians (with vegetable stock) and bursting with Middle Eastern-inspired ingredients, it’s ready in just 35 minutes and serves up plenty of seasonal charm.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1.25 cups boiling water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2 small, diced celery stalks
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 0.5 cup raisins
- 0.5 cup, chopped dried apricots
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.25 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh mint
- 0.5 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup toasted slivered almonds
Instructions
Place the couscous in a large, heatproof bowl. Pour 1 1/4 cups of boiling water over the couscous, cover with a plate or lid, and let sit for 5 minutes. Once ready, fluff with a fork and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, and cook for 5-7 minutes or until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic, cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the raisins, apricots, cinnamon, and cumin to the skillet, stirring to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the dried fruits to soften slightly.
Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fluffed couscous. Mix well to evenly distribute all the ingredients.
Add the parsley, mint, salt, and black pepper, gently folding everything together.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with the toasted slivered almonds just before serving.
Serve warm as a side dish, or use it as stuffing for poultry.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
271 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 9.8 g | 13% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.0 g | 20% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 15 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 377 mg | 16% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 44.1 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.0 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.5 g | ||
| Protein | 5.3 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 77 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 1.8 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 579 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
