Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Breakfast Couscous

Posted by Erin / 10 comments » / breakfast

I’m the kind of person who gets bored if I’m stuck in the same routine over and over again. I also get bored if I eat the same thing repeatedly. Breakfast is a meal where I love to experiment, but I also want to keep it healthy. I need something that sparks my tastebuds, but can also keep my belly full for a couple hours. This dish definitely satisfied both parts of my body; and was a refreshing change from the ordinary routine.

This is called breakfast couscous, but it could easily be called afternoon snack couscous, or evening snack couscous.  :)  When I saw this recipe I knew I’d like it; because I must admit, I ate this previous couscous recipe for breakfast more than once! The flavor of this version had some sweetness from the brown sugar, raisins*, and dried cranberries. I also loved the nutty crunch provided by the walnuts; they paired well with the cinnamon.  And, the addition of nonfat dry milk gives it a hint of creaminess that the other couscous recipe doesn’t have. I love that it was quick and easy to prepare, easy enough for a weekday! This recipe is a definite keeper, and has a place in my ever changing morning routine.

Tony's Breakfast Couscous

from Cooking Light
3 servings (serving size: 2/3 cup)

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1/2 cup uncooked couscous (I used whole grain couscous)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins*
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan; stir in milk and remaining ingredients. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 10 minutes. (Mixture will thicken as it cools.)

Nutritional info: Calories: 305; Fat: 6.9g (sat 0.7g,mono 1g,poly 4.8g); Protein: 9.6g; Carbohydrate:
53.7g; Fiber: 3.3g; Cholesterol: 2mg; Iron: 1.1mg; Sodium: 169mg; Calcium: 174mg

*I used currants because I happened to have them on hand, so they are a little bit smaller than raisins.

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10 Responses to “Breakfast Couscous”

  1. 1

    Liesl — February 23, 2010 @ 10:54 am

    This sounds super healthy and very satisfying! Never really thought of couscous as a breakfast food…but it sounds very tasty!

  2. 2

    Kelsey — February 23, 2010 @ 11:05 am

    YUM! I can’t wait to try this one!

  3. 3

    Kira — February 23, 2010 @ 1:55 pm

    Yum! I’m getting a little tired of my oatmeal, so this might be a good alternative, especially since I have all the ingredients already.

  4. 4

    Jessica — February 23, 2010 @ 4:53 pm

    This looks fabulous Erin! YUM!

  5. 5

    Kerstin — February 23, 2010 @ 4:55 pm

    I agree – this looks good anytime! Cranberries and walnuts together just make me happy :)

  6. 6

    Maria — February 23, 2010 @ 5:15 pm

    Great way to start the day!

  7. 7

    Audrey — February 24, 2010 @ 9:09 am

    Love this! Thanks for sharing. I substituted almonds for walnuts and doubled the dried cranberries instead of raisins.

  8. 8

    Heather — February 25, 2010 @ 2:20 pm

    Thanks for posting this! I really struggle with knowing what to fix for breakfasts, so I’m always looking for recipes like this.

  9. 9

    ingrid — February 26, 2010 @ 11:18 am

    I’ve only made couscous once and didn’t “supe” it up. Of course,afterwards I thought I didn’t like it. This is a great recipe to wet our toes (tongues, hee-hee) with.
    ~ingrid

  10. 10

    Breakfast Couscous « Made by Melissa — April 27, 2010 @ 12:03 pm

    [...] Source: Cooking Light, as seen on Erin’s Food Files. [...]

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