Sweet couscous has a long history. In Tunisia it's called mesfouf and mixed with nuts, dates and spices for breakfast. In Morocco it's called seffa and served as a dessert combined with milk and orange blossom water.
We like this recipe, published in Cooking Light a while back. It was in a feature on easily portable healthy foods for camping and hiking, and has the advantage of allowing you to mix the dry ingredients ahead of time.
Breakfast Couscous
Cooking Light
3 servings
1 cup skim milk
¼ cup water
½ cup uncooked couscous
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
Bring milk and water mixture to a simmer in a saucepan and then stir in the dry ingredients. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 10 minutes until thickened.
Ann, you seem to know a lot about world cuisine... Do you have a background in Mediterranian culture?
Yeah, that looks like an easy breakfast-on-the-go (easier with instant couscous too... though I'm not familiar with how it'll affect the taste). Double-easier if you mix in powdered skim milk, if you can find it. Double-delicious if you use whole milk, heh heh :) ... though I probably shouldn't (stares at tummy)
Posted by: Manggy | January 25, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I do recommend this to anyone fancying a healthy but surprisingly tasty and filling breakfast. It's a little marvel.
Posted by: Jack | January 25, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Mm! A nice variation on the more expected granola. I like it! I feel like I have had something similar but made with Wheat Berries. I love couscous though, so I'm sure I would like this!
Posted by: Cakespy | January 25, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Oh!....how I love Middle-Eastern recipes! A perfect change of pace from the steel-cut oats I usually dish out in the morning when I'm not hitting the eggs.
Posted by: Susan | January 25, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Hey, this is the second breakfast couscous recipe I've come across in the past few weeks... gotta try one.
(The other was on Stephanie's 'A Whisk and A Spoon' blog)
Posted by: Chris | January 25, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Of course - why didn't I think of making couscous for breakfast - I like all the ingredients - what could be bad? I just always thought of couscous paired with savory and I guess the answer to that is why?
Posted by: giz | January 25, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I love this couscous! And it's healthy too, which is great.
Posted by: Sophie | January 25, 2008 at 03:54 PM
I love couscous but I've never had it for breakfast. What a great idea and so healthy!
Posted by: Suzana | January 25, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Hmm. This looks like it could be an interesting light dessert too - an alternative to rice pudding, perhaps?
Posted by: Adele | January 25, 2008 at 06:04 PM
I like this idea a lot! I've been wanting to try something similar, but with quinoa - to keep me full all morning! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Michelle | January 25, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Mmm...these ingredients work for me!
Posted by: JEP | January 25, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I'm planning a post on breakfast couscous based on one I had with apricots and raisins. Though lately I'm addicted to cranberries and pistachios, which I'll probably post on. Looks like I'll try your delicious combo next! And hooray for something other than oatmeal!
Posted by: Susan from Food Blogga | January 25, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Never would have thought of a couscous breakfast. But i love couscous..so what the hell!
Breakfast, lunch and dinner works for me!
Posted by: Zenchef | January 25, 2008 at 11:47 PM
I think whole grains are the best breakfast food! This looks delicious!
Posted by: Gretchen Noelle | January 26, 2008 at 07:46 AM
What a good idea -- especially in the weather we've been having.
Posted by: Pieds Des Anges (Kyla) | January 26, 2008 at 11:49 PM
I've never heard of a sweet couscous but what an interesting idea for breakfast. It sounds delicious and I'm always looking for a healthy breakfast, especially one that can be put together quickly.
Posted by: Julie | January 28, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Manggy, I enough about those things I get curious about. :-)
Jack, so sweet, as always. <3
cakespy, try it!
Susan, what's nice about this is that it's pretty good with a tagine, too.
Chris, I guess great minds think alike!
giz, funny how we get in "taste ruts," isn't it?
Sophie, you are a couscous maniac!
Suzana, and so easy to make!
Adele, it's a lovely dessert, but not nearly as sweet as bread pudding usually is.
Michelle, quinoa would be even healthier!
JEP, glad to hear it!
Susan, looking forward to that post! Pistachios would be a wonderful substitute for walnuts!
Zenchef, make it for the Bossman!
Gretchen, thanks! I really like it.
Kyla, it makes a really nice change.
Julie, this one is really easy. let me know if you try it.
Posted by: Ann | January 28, 2008 at 02:23 PM
My husband has so few teeth left that he must only eat soft/pureed foods.
As an RN and certified fodd training specialist, I worry that he isn't getting enough roughage in his limited diet.
Tried this recipe and personally, I thought it was delicious. Sadly, it proved rather disasterous for Chuck.
I will make it again for myself though. THANKS!
Posted by: MrsDocChuck | January 28, 2008 at 02:46 PM