Written by Rachel Davidson-Evans, BASc

Reviewed by Atheana Brown RD

This sweet apple couscous is so quick, so easy, and so delicious. With tart green apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more, how could you go wrong? Want to make it gluten-free? Try substituting the couscous for quinoa instead!

I can not believe we have reached September. While it has not seemed to cool down just yet here in Southern Ontario, I am not mad that we are on our way to fall. Local apple picking is one of my favourite late summer activities, and my moms town of Meaford is the perfect place for it. I just had to make a sweet and savoury apple side dish to make that transition to warm comforting fall flavours, so here we are! I chose Granny Smith apples to balance the sweetness with a perfect tart crunch. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!

This recipe makes 4 to 6 side servings.

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth (or water)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp olive oil or butter

1 cup uncooked whole wheat couscous (swap quinoa for gluten free)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Granny Smith apple, diced

1/2 cup seedless raisins

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp pepper

Optional Dressing:

3 tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 tsp white wine vinegar

2 tsp maple syrup

Pinch salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine broth, salt, and olive oil and bring to a boil. 
2. Once boiling, stir in couscous and cover with lid. Remove saucepan from heat for 5 minutes. 
3. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a medium sized bowl. Add in the minced garlic, diced apple, raisins, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, and pepper, stirring until well combined.
4. For the dressing: Combine ingredients in a small bowl and adjust to taste. Pour dressing over couscous and toss.
5. Serve and enjoy immediately!

And that is it! I hope you love this easy recipe, I like this topped with sliced chicken breast for a super quick and delicious meal. Oh- and to use up all of the local apples I seem to hoard of course. Where is your favourite place for apple picking? Let me know in the comments below! And as always, let me know what you think of this recipe. Happy apple season friends!