Toasted Pine Nut and Parmesan Couscous
Elevate your side dish game with this Toasted Pine Nut and Parmesan Couscous, a quick and flavorful recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Fluffy couscous is infused with rich chicken or vegetable stock, then tossed with golden, nutty pine nuts, zesty lemon, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an irresistible depth of flavor. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil ties everything together, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a vibrant, herby finish. Ready in just 15 minutes, this dish makes a versatile choice as a comforting side or a light vegetarian main. Whether you’re hosting guests or cooking for the family, this easy couscous recipe is sure to impress with its savory, Mediterranean-inspired flair.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pine nuts and toast them, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable stock to a boil. Once boiling, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover tightly with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes.
While the couscous is sitting, in a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
Once the couscous has absorbed all the liquid, fluff it gently with a fork to separate the grains.
Transfer the fluffed couscous to the mixing bowl with the olive oil and Parmesan mixture. Add the toasted pine nuts and toss everything gently to combine.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Parmesan if needed.
Serve warm as a side dish or a main course, garnished with extra parsley or Parmesan if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
207 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.1 g | 19% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.1 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 4 mg | 1% | |
| Sodium | 541 mg | 24% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 11.9 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.7 g | ||
| Protein | 6.9 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 117 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 122 mg | 3% | |
*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.
