Christmas Couscous

This is a wonderful dish. For very little effort, you get fabulous results. Sprinkle fresh coriander on the couscous and then those sparkling jewels of pomegranate seeds.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 675g/1lb 8oz couscous
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 100g/4oz golden sultanas
• 2½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 litre/1¾ pints boiled water
• 5½ tablespoon vegetable stock/chicken stock
• 1½ tablespoon butter or olive oil
• 1 pomegranate
• handful fresh chopped coriander
• salt and ground black pepper

Method

1. Put the sultanas, couscous, salt and spices in a microwavable bowl, mix thoroughly.

2. Put the boiled water in the bowl, covering the bowl with cling film. Let the mixture sit for up to 15 minutes.

3. Once the water is absorbed by the couscous, take off the cling film from around the bowl. Use a fork to separate the grains of the couscous.

4. Add in the vegetable stock or chicken stock mixture, as well as the olive oil and butter in to the couscous.

5. Stir mixture once more, season with salt and ground black pepper. If you are going to eat this dish some time later, transfer couscous to a serving dish.

6. Cut the pomegranate into two, extracting approximately a quarter of the seeds. Sprinkle the seeds and the chopped coriander over the couscous and serve.