I’ve decided I need new ways to make couscous dishes. Plain couscous is boring and tasteless. The boxed mixes are ridiculously expensive.

Fruity Couscous Salad

2 & 2/3 cups dry whole wheat couscous (or regular)
3 cups orange juice (or water, or a mixture)
1 cup packed dried apricots, chopped
1 & 1/3 cups dried cherries, chopped
1 cup of dark or golden raisins (or a mixture)
1.5 cup chopped dates (remove pits)
1 & 1/3 cups slivered almonds or chopped pecans, toasted
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Bring the orange juice/water mix to a boil and remove from heat; add couscous, stir, and cover for five minutes until liquid is soaked up.

Put the dried cherries and raisins in a container and cover with water, then microwave for one minute to soften. (Dried apricots and dates are typically soft enough.) Drain the cherries and raisins.

Put the couscous into a large bowl. Add cherries, raisins, chopped apricots, chopped dates, and nuts. Mix. Add the cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper by sprinkling over the entire bowl. Mix thoroughly.

This tastes good just made, but it tastes especially good after it sits and chills awhile. It makes a large amount, so for smaller meals cut in half.

Makes 16 servings