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Saffron and Almond Couscous Recipe

Saffron and Almond Couscous Recipe
Saffron and Almond Couscous Recipe
  • Preparation time
    15 min
  • Difficulty
    Easy
  • Number of servings
    6

Fresh, fragrant, and festive, this Saffron and Almond Couscous is a vibrant side dish designed to elevate summer and holiday menus. Perfect for busy kitchens, it’s quick to whip up and combines seasonal Australian produce with layered aromatics and a rich saffron-infused stock, delivering a dish that’s light, fluffy, and full of flavour. Ideal served warm or at room temperature, it pairs beautifully with roast duck, turkey, or lamb. 

 

MAGGI® MARIDOR – Your Flavour Booster 

The hero of this dish is MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix, used to infuse the stock with some zing. When combined with saffron, cardamom, star anise, and cinnamon, MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix creates a fragrant base, while containing no actual seafood. It’s a reliable solution for chefs seeking fresh flavour with minimal prep. 

 

Embrace Seasonal Flavours and Ingredients 

The couscous is steamed in the saffron-infused stock, then fluffed and enriched with duck fat (or olive oil). Toasted Riverland almonds add crunch and warmth, while sun-dried apricots and local currants offer bursts of sweetness. Fresh mint and flat-leaf parsley bring herbaceous lift, balanced by the zest and juice of Riverina oranges, adding citrus brightness and aroma. 

 

Easy to Prep 

With a prep time of just 15 minutes, this recipe is ideal for high-volume service. Minimal equipment is required, and the dish holds well in bain-marie setups. It can be made ahead and repurposed as a stuffing or salad base, reducing waste and increasing versatility. 

 

Pair with our Roast Duck 

Use leftover couscous as a stuffing for roast poultry dishes, like our Summer Citrus Duck. The saffron, citrus, and MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix carry beautifully into festive mains. 

Ingredients
MAGGI-Maridor-FOP
  • A pinch of saffron threads
  • 3 cardamom pods
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon quill
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 200ml Water or chicken stock | boiling
  • 10g MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix
  • 50ml orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 30ml olive oil or duck fat melted (if available)
  • 120g almonds skin on | toasted chopped
  • ¼ bunch Italian parsley | chopped
  • ¼ bunch mint leaves | chopped
  • ¼ bunch coriander | chopped
  • 260g couscous
  • 50g apricots chopped fine or dry
  • 30g currants
  • MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix and pepper | to taste
Preparation
  • 1
    For the Stock:
    In a small saucepan lightly toast the saffron, cardamom pods, star anise and cinnamon quill.
  • 2
    Stir in the orange zest and add the water and MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix.
  • 3
    Prepare the Couscous:
    Place couscous in a large heatproof bowl.
  • 4
    Pour the hot saffron-infused MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix stock over the couscous.
  • 5
    Cover tightly with a lid or cling film and let sit for 5 minutes.
  • 6
    Fluff and Finish:
    Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains.
  • 7
    Stir in orange zest, olive oil (or duck fat), herbs, nuts, and dried fruit.
  • 8
    Season with MAGGI® Maridor Seafood Seasoning Mix and pepper to taste.
  • Use leftover couscous as a stuffing for your next roast. 
  • Use coriander stalks in stock for additional favour. 

Related Product

MAGGI-Maridor-FOP

MAGGI Classic MARIDOR Seafood Seasoning Mix 6 x 1.3kg

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