Like I do with many foods, I went through a serious couscous phase a couple of years ago. I must’ve ate couscous 3-4 times a week! I generally eat couscous simply with butter or some crushed nuts, so this batch pretty much knocked my socks off.
Cranberry Pine Nut Couscous (yields 2-4 servings)
ingredients:
- 1 cup dry couscous (I used whole wheat)
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/3 + 1 tbsp dried cranberries
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup cannellini beans
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
directions:
- Add salt and couscous to boiling water. Cover pot, turn off burner, and set timer for 5 minutes.
- Toast pine nuts in a stovetop pan for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
- When couscous is done, fluff with a fork.
- Add beans, cranberries, pine nuts, parsley, and olive oil to couscous, and combine.
- Let couscous cool for about 5 minutes before adding the feta cheese.
- Couscous can be eaten warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
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TO. DIE. Cranberries + pine nuts + feta is probably one of my favorite flavor combinations ever. And the beans add a great punch of creaminess and protein.
This makes for a delicious side dish, but it could also work as an entree. You could even take it to the next level by adding more beans or some grilled chicken. Oh, and did I mention that this dish only takes about 15 minutes to make? Not to shabby.
I had about 1 1/2 servings of the couscous and a side salad for dinner.
daily recap.
Did you know that a day at the beach can actually double as a great workout?
I spent the day on the beach with Kath and her family, and we were in the water for the majority of the time. I can’t tell you the last time I played so much in the ocean! The waves were huge and rough, so it took more out of me than I realized. We also went for about a mile(+) long walk. Needless to say…I’m pooped!
For lunch I packed myself a turkey sandwich:
Along with a pear and some pistachios.
I’m still pretty exhausted from the day of sun and fun, so some R&R is definitely in order. Oh, and I’m sure I’ll find a way to squeeze dessert in there 
Goodnight, dollbabes! xoxo G
- What have you found to be an unexpected great workout?
Your couscous sounds dreamy! Pine nuts are one of my absolute favorite things to put into grain dishes, but they’re so expensive! I’ll have to bite the bullet one of these days.
I’ve been finding a lot of unexpected workouts this summer with my students! Playing at a park is a great whole-body workout and it’s so fun, you hardly notice the effort. Same goes for pickup games of football/basketball!
oooh that couscous looks amazing. i can’t eat in, sadly (i’m wheat free) but i think i am going to try out this flavor combo with some quinoa. white beans & cranberries are some of my faves!
Sooo who would have thought that walking ALL around Los Angeles and San Diego this weekend would leave my ass sore and legs tight! hahaha
it hurts to move! therefore, you know i’ve been laying on the couch and resting all day! Plus, entertaining friends from out-of-town for 3 days straight is tiring. Let the rest continue, and with some yummy indian food out with the fam tonight!
That cous cous looks great girl! Soft cheeses + fruit is always a hit. And i’ve been loving different grains lately-you gotta try a fun quinoa dish next (if you already haven’t?!) ! I’m in loooove.
That couscous looks fab! I think traveling can be a great workout, especially when you explore a new city on foot!
these looks delish! thanks for posting it
Bookmarking this recipe! Well, I did a hike up a mountain with 3,000 ft elevation gain this weekend. It was quite the work out.
holy moly. i’m pretty sure that couscous is in my list of meals for this week.
Great workout = moving, especially if stairs are involved!
heck yeah! i like cous cous and I like cranberries and pine nuts, right up my alley!
Next time you are super sick of couscous go for quinoa!
Love couscous - so much quicker to make than quinoa! I found surfing is a major workout - the day I took a lesson I was more tired than any other cardio exercise I’ve done, ever.
thanks for the recipe - that couscous looks delicious! Sometimes cleaning seems like a great workout, though not as fun as playing in the ocean…
I love couscous too, though I’ve been on more of a quinoa and bulgur kick lately. I need to try your version with the quinoa. I think it’d be great!
This recipe looks fantastic! I love the combo of pine nuts + feta + cranberries too. I’m definitely bookmarking this to make later.
Shovelliing snow. Not only am I tired and sweaty after shovelling my driveway, I think I read that an hour of shovelling burns around 400 cals (?!)
Not a bad workout.
Okay, I’m catching up on all your posts- I’ve missed some amazing ones!! Yesterday I moved into my apt…um, amazing workout. My butt is actually sore today, which is weird because it NEVER gets sore. Apparently all I need for an amazing butt is a bunch of boxes and three flights of stairs! And OF COURSE you’re welcome to come visit me in NYC love. I mean that- if you ever want to come stay with me, just say the word!!
About your SAD post- I actually have SAD in the winter. It’s a bummer, because I’m SO EFFING HAPPY in the summer, and I become a completely different person in the winter. I know staying really warm helps me be happy, so maybe try keeping as cool as possible? Probably common sense, but maybe it will help
Hope your week gets off to a wonderful start love!! xoxo
Hmmmm that couscous looks and sounds delicious! A great combination of flavors!
yum, couscous! Haven’t had that in… well I don’t know how long…
Unexpected workout: cleaning… I turn into a cleaning tornado and usually work up a sweat. It’s nice to kill 2 birds with one stone
Wow, that couscous salad looks divine!
I’ve found moving, as in out of a house, to be the most exhausting workout ever, lol.
Jenn
just made your couscous, new follower to your site - i really like your enthusiasm and you’re cute as a button!
super delicious… i added some zucchini slices and asparagus tips for more green!
Thanks for the recipe Gracie. I’m always looking for more ideas to make my couscous that more enjoyable. Please post more recipes!!!
Great idea! It would be delicious with quinoa, for sure.