Seasoned Couscous
Elevate your side dish game with this vibrant and flavorful Seasoned Couscous recipe—a quick and easy option that's ready in just 15 minutes! Perfectly fluffy couscous is infused with a fragrant blend of garlic, cumin, and paprika, then brightened up with zesty lemon and fresh herbs like parsley and mint. A drizzle of spiced olive oil and butter takes this dish to the next level, creating a versatile Mediterranean-inspired side that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or stews. This one-pot wonder is not only easy to prepare but also customizable, making it an essential addition to your weeknight dinner rotation. Keywords: Seasoned Couscous, quick side dish, Mediterranean recipe, easy couscous recipe, spiced couscous.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (optional)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 cup of couscous. Cover the pan with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the water.
After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork to break up any clumps.
In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter over medium heat.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of ground paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to the skillet. Stir the spices into the oil and butter until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Pour the spiced oil mixture over the fluffed couscous and mix well to evenly coat the grains.
Stir in 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh mint (if using).
Taste the couscous and adjust seasonings if needed, adding extra salt, pepper, or lemon zest to your liking.
Serve warm as a side dish or use as a base for stews, roasted vegetables, or grilled proteins.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
552 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.8 g | 52% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.5 g | 57% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 31 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 1501 mg | 65% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.1 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.6 g | ||
| Protein | 7.2 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 79 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 252 mg | 5% | |
*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.
