Savory Turmeric Couscous with Almonds

Being a really easy thing to make, couscous has been a staple ingredient in my kitchen since college. However, it’s always been rather, well, plain, and typically mixed with vegetables. As I do more Mediterranean meal planning these days, I was looking for ways to bring in different spices and make it its own sturdy dish. That’s how I came up with this savory turmeric couscous.

Making normal couscous a savory couscous

What exactly is a savory dish? Usually one thinks of it as the opposite of sweet, but is that accurate?

These are the times when a visit to Reddit, or for food, Chowhound, to get a diverse set of opinions. And after reading through chowhound’s savory discussion, I’m not any clearer.

I think it’s just one of those things where you know savory when you taste it.

And how to get that flavor? I like to start with a base of sauteed onions, garlic and spices. After a good 8 to 10 minutes over medium low, your onions and garlic will become translucent and just start to brown. This is where more complex flavors start to build.

Next, introduce your spice blend. This will “open up” your spices, perfume the other ingredients and also infuse flavor into the olive oil. Let it steep for a few minutes.

This ensures that the flavors of this savory turmeric couscous will be distributed in a uniform way throughout the final product.

In addition to the spices, this mixture also includes the lemon zest and currants. If you don’t have currants on hand, chopped raisins are a perfect substitute. No one will know the difference.

Toasting and Finishing the Couscous

The traditional approach for couscous is to boil water and then add the couscous. What I like to do instead is to add the couscous to the pan, after the spices have opened up, and toast the couscous for a few minutes.

Then add your cooking liquid and simmer for a few minutes before turning off the heat and covering the pan.

Don’t forget to turn the heat off. It doesn’t need a low heat like other grains and pastas. Even a low simmer will likely crust the couscous to the bottom of your pot.

After about 10 minutes of resting, you are ready to give it a fluff with a spoon. Right before serving, mix in freshly chopped cilantro.

Pairing the Savory Couscous and Other Options

This was a great combo with my Grilled Tofu Shawarma and some Grilled Broccoli and Red Onions for a killer Meatless Monday. I’ve also served it with Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon, which also paired really well.

If you’re looking for something a little sturdier, like a quinoa dish, then this Mediterranean Quinoa might be a good option. If you want something super sturdy, that’s when you step up to wheat berries. Check out this hearty Wheat Berry Salad with Red Peppers. This particular dish is a weekly favorite in our house.