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Breakfast Couscous with Dried-fruit compote

Oatmeal lovers, be warned: This warm couscous topped with fragrant fruit compote is an incredibly easy way to start the day with real panache.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    20 min

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

For compote:

1

1/4 cups water

3

tablespoons packed dark brown sugar

1

1/2 cups mixed dried fruit such as apricots, cherries, cranberries, and apples, chopped if large

1

tea bag of black tea such as orange pekoe or English breakfast

1 to 3

teaspoons fresh lemon juice

For couscous:

1

cup couscous

3

tablespoons unsalted butter

1

1/2 cups boiling water

1

/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Accompaniments: chopped toasted almonds; warm milk for drizzling

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Make compote:

    Step 1

    Simmer water, sugar, and fruit in a small saucepan over medium heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid just starts to become syrupy, about 8 minutes. Add tea bag and let steep off heat while making couscous.

  2. Make couscous:

    Step 2

    Cook couscous in butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in water, cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cover tightly. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff.