Cheat's Easy Spiced Couscous With Fruit and Nuts - in a Jar!

• couscous↗250 g
• olive oil or 4 ounces melted butter↗1 1⁄2 tablespoons
• ras el hanout spice mix or 1 teaspoon ground cumin4 teaspoons
• ground coriander, Cilantro↗1 teaspoon
• ground paprika↗1 teaspoon
• ground turmeric↗1 teaspoon
• pine nuts, lightly toasted under a grill↗1 tablespoon
• soft dried apricots, chopped finely↗6 -8
• golden sultana raisins↗2 tablespoons
• dried onion flakes↗1 tablespoon
• garlic granules, NOT salt↗1 tablespoon
• hot vegetable stock, made with salt free cube if possible such as Marigold Swiss Vegetable↗300 ml
• butter (to garnish)↗1 ounce
• chopped fresh coriander, cilantro2 tablespoons

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Mix all the dry ingredients together.

2. 2

   (The amounts can be doubled or even quadrupled for long term storage of up to 6 -9 months.).

3. 3

   When you are ready to prepare the couscous, measure out the correct serving of dry ingredients into a large bowl, preferably the one you will be serving it from. The dry & wet combination is given above in the ingredients.

4. 4

   Add the olive oil or butter & mix thoroughly.

5. 5

   Add the boiling stock and mix thoroughly - place a clean tea towel over the top of the bowl and leave for 5 minutes.

6. 6

   Fluff up the couscous after 5 minutes & add more liquid if needed.

7. 7

   Add a knob of butter or a teaspoon of live oil - mix & sprinkle with freshly chopped coriander - cilantro before serving.

8. 8

   You could also add more nuts or fruit as a garnish if you wish.

9. 9

   This is a basic recipe - all kinds of dried fruit and nuts can be used such as: almonds, cashew nuts, dried cherries or cranberries, dried banana or coconut. It will depend on what you will be serving it with!