Home » Spiced California Raisin-Honey Couscous with Yogurt-Rum Sauce

Recipe

Spiced California Raisin-Honey Couscous with Yogurt-Rum Sauce

Submitted by: Dennis Deel, Jenny Thompson Healthy Recipe Award 2005 Coast-to-Coast Recipe Contest

Chock full of fruits and whole grains.
Details
  • Serves: 8
INGREDIENTS
Couscous
  • 1/2 c. California golden raisins
  • 1/2 c. California natural raisins
  • 1/2 c. fresh orange juice
  • 2 tsp. rum extract
  • 1 c. water
  • 1/4 c. honey
  • 1 bag spiced tea*
  • 3/4 c. plain couscous**
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 can (15 ounces) Mandarin orange slices, drained
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh mint
Sauce
  • 1 carton (6 ounces) custard-style vanilla yogurt
  • 3 tbsp. reserved liquid from couscous
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cardamon
  • 8 mint sprigs; for garnish
PROCEDURE
Measure raisins and orange juice into small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat and boil 1 minute. Stir in rum extract and remove from heat; cover and set aside.

Combine water and honey in a medium saucepan; add tea bag and bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly to infuse tea. When water just begins to boil, squeeze tea bag as dry as possible and discard. Stir in couscous; remove from heat. Cover and let stand as directed on package, at least 5 minutes. Then, stir in cinnamon and almond extract with a fork. Add raisins and blend well. Drain any remaining liquid and reserve for sauce. Very gently fold in orange slices. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Meanwhile, mix yogurt, reserved liquid and cardamon together in small bowl until smooth and creamy. Cover and chill.

To serve, mix chopped mint into couscous. Divide and spoon one-half of couscous into 8 ramekins or custard cups. Drizzle each with 1 teaspoon sauce and divide remaining couscous evenly on top. Then, drizzle each with 1 to 2 teaspoons additional sauce. Garnish each bowl with mint leaves and store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Chef Notes: Celestial Seasonings’ Bengal Spice tea and Near East brand couscous preferred.

Mom’s bread pudding had tons of raisins and plenty of hard sauce - and calories. This recipe is a healthy nod to that southern dish.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories 210(3% from fat); Total Fat 1g (sat 0g, mono 0g, poly 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Protein 4g; Carbohydrates 49g; Fiber 2g; Iron 1mg; Sodium 20mg; Calcium 62mg

This recipe is found in the following categories:
Beans, Rice and Grains
Special Diet
Low Cholesterol
Low Sodium
Low Fat