Breakfast Couscous
September 8, 2007 at 6:04 pm | Posted in breakfast things, cereals, out of town | 18 Comments
Sounds weird, right? Maybe even a little gross? No, bear with me…it’s good. Honest.
R and I were in Shanghai in August. It’s a crazy city– crowded, and with tons of new construction going up all over the place. In the middle of it all, I ran into someone I used to work with in New York years ago in my past life as an investment banker. But that’s a different story.
As a break from stuffing ourselves with crab xiao long bao , we headed over to a “western” cafe in Pudong called Slice for breakfast one morning. I wanted to go there because I had read that a Shanghai-based baker from New Zealand named Dean Brettschneider makes the breads. I am a big fan of his book Taste (and am searching secondhand bookstores for his previous and now out-of-print book Baker…if anyone has it, are you taking bids?), so I naturally wanted to try his stuff. I happily munched away on the best bagel and rye bread I’ve had since leaving NYC, while Rich ordered this couscous stuff off the menu. It had dried fruit and nuts, yogurt on top and just a touch of sweetness.
I was poking through the pantry the other day, and noticed that I had just enough couscous left for one person. Why not make breakfast couscous with it the next morning? I completely eyeballed everything, so I won’t give a hard and fast recipe, just a basic guideline.
Breakfast Couscous
this would also be good with some sweet spices, like a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom, mixed in
-Make as much couscous as you like (for one serving, I used 1/2 cup of dried couscous), according to package instructions, but add a touch of honey to the hot water so it can be absorbed into the couscous along with the liquid.
-Put as much dried fruit as you want to use (I used a handful of dried apricots, chopped, and some dried cherries) into a small bowl and cover with boiling water to plump while the couscous sits.
-When your couscous has absorbed the water and softened, fluff it up with a fork. Drain the dried fruit and mix into the couscous.
-Portion into serving bowls.
-Sprinkle with nuts (I used chopped almonds, but pistachios would be great, too) and top with a couple of spoonfuls of plain yogurt.
-Drizzle honey on top.
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a whisk and a spoon 
It doesn’t sound bad to me!
Comment by melisser— September 8, 2007 #
This is such a wonderful idea for a healthy breakfast, but somehow the pictures still look completely sinful and decadent! Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely have to try this out!
Comment by BitterSweet— September 8, 2007 #
I admit when I read the title I made this face: O__o …but it looks really good! I may have to try this just out of scientific interest – I’ll tell you how it goes, heh.
Indy.x
Comment by Indigo— September 9, 2007 #
The flavours certainly sound right…. very creative.
Comment by Katerina— September 10, 2007 #
Coucous for breakfast…what a great idea.
Comment by peabody— September 10, 2007 #
Yum!! A version of yogurt and grandola and mueseli!!! I wonder what would happen if you soaked your couscous in milk overnight
Comment by Kat(zie)— September 10, 2007 #
Looks very different but good! I know that is something my husband would eat so I will have to give it a try.
http://birdfood-sharona.blogspot.com/
Comment by sharona may— September 11, 2007 #
I found you on the Foodie Blogroll. I love love love your blog. You have some of the most beautiful pictures of food I have ever seen.
Comment by Karen, the FabGrandma— September 11, 2007 #
I’m going to have to take your word for this recipe. I just don’t think I can handle couscous in the morning, but it really is a lovely idea for those of you with hearty early stomachs. Nice image and of course I’m always a fan of the amazing coffee press. Best coffee ever.
Comment by girlieerin— September 12, 2007 #
I’ve never had it, but I will now, looks great to me!
Comment by brilynn— September 12, 2007 #
I’ve never had couscous as a sweet dish before but I trust you 🙂
Comment by Cynthia— September 13, 2007 #
Your photos could convince me to try anything!
Comment by Lori— September 14, 2007 #
I love Couscous but never thought about it as a breakfast dish, sounds delish, will try it soon:-)
X M
Comment by Matin— September 16, 2007 #
My mouth is watering! I love the photo!
Comment by Ivonne— September 17, 2007 #
I did it once because we had ran out of grits and oatmeal, and loved it. Your version is just yummy for breakfast! Beatiful shots as always!
Comment by Tartelette— September 17, 2007 #
Great new way to eat one of my favorite grains! Yummy!
Comment by Chris— September 18, 2007 #
Wow! This doesn’t look weird at all! It looks delicious! I can’t wait to try this 🙂
Comment by joey— October 1, 2007 #
thanx so much i needed an idea 4 a H.E. task and this should get me top marks sound tasty!!! thanx!! =]
Comment by cquivils— April 28, 2009 #