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.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, cooking for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fluffed couscous. Mix well to evenly distribute all the ingredients.

Step 7

Add the parsley, mint, salt, and black pepper, gently folding everything together.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with the toasted slivered almonds just before serving.

Step 9

Serve warm as a side dish, or use it as stuffing for poultry.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1381.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1045.5

Total Fat 41.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 62mg	0%
Sodium 2333.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.0g	0%
Total Sugars 84.0g
Protein 23.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 529.2mg	0%
Iron 10.2mg	0%
Potassium 3089.5mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.3%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 58.3%