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Broccoli Couscous and Cashew Side Dish Recipe, Simple and Delicious

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by Robin

This side dish is a recent addition to our Meal Plan Master List.  For the grown-ups, it was time to add something new.   But, like most children, ours can be reluctant to try new foods.  So what about a new side dish that combines tried and true favourites into something new?

Around our table, a few of those favourites are: broccoli, couscous and cashews.  We mated those foods and a new recipe was born!  (So that sentence is making me laugh, just picturing broccoli, couscous and cashews in the back of the fridge…the door is closed, the lights are low, soft jazz music playing, the mood is just right…that is probably only funny to me?)

This side dish is an absolute hit around here.  It can be served hot or cold.  It seems pretty versatile too; sometime soon we’re going to try it out with cauliflower and almonds.  Yum!

cashew broccoli couscous side dish recipe

Broccoli Couscous and Cashew Side Dish

(Serves 6 to 8)  

Ingredients:

cashew broccoli couscous ingredients
  • 1/2 cup Cashews, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/2 (to 1) Onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cups Broccoli, chopped (we used frozen here, we’ll use fresh when it’s in season)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup Whole wheat couscous
  • 1 1/2 cup Chicken broth (low-salt is best)
  • Parmesan cheese, grated, to taste  

Cashew Broccoli CousCous Steps:  

In a pot with a lid, cook cashews over medium-high heat. 

Stir constantly until nuts are toasted and fragrant (a couple of minutes).  

 

Remove nuts from the pot and set aside to cool.    

     

Cool onion in olive oil
Return pot to the heat.  Add olive oil.  When oil is hot, add onion. 

Cook until the onion is soft and starting to brown (approximately 2 minutes).

Add broccoli to oil and garlic
      Add broccoli.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

Cook, stirring occasionally until broccoli is soft (5 to 10 minutes).

Cook broccoli with couscous
Add couscous. 

Keep stirring until it starts to toast (3 to 5 minutes).

how to make broccoli couscous recipe side dish
Stir in broth.  Bring to a boil.

Cover pot and turn off heat Let rest 15 minutes (with the lid on, you’ll be tempted to peek at it – don’t!).  

Meanwhile, chop cashews finely.   

After the rest period, add nuts to couscous.  

 

broccoli couscous side dish recipe
     Gently fluff with a fork. 

Return the lid and let rest another minute or 2.

Broccoli couscous cashew side dish recipe
      Serve hot or cold, sprinkled with Paremesan cheese.  
broccoli couscous side dish recipe

Broccoli Couscous and Cashew Side Dish Recipe

Yield: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Cashews, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/2 (to 1) Onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cups Broccoli, chopped (we used frozen here, we’ll use fresh when it’s in season)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup Whole wheat couscous
  • 1 1/2 cup Chicken broth (low-salt is best)
  • Parmesan cheese, grated, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a pot with a lid, cook cashews over medium-high heat. Stir constantly until nuts are toasted and fragrant (a couple of minutes). Remove nuts from pot and set aside to cool.
  2. Return pot to the heat. Add olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion. Cook until onion is soft and starting to brown (approximately 2 minutes).
  3. Add broccoli. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until broccoli is soft (5 to 10 minutes).
  4. Add couscous. Keep stirring until it starts to toast (3 to 5 minutes).
  5. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil. Cover pot and turn off heat. Let rest 15 minutes (with the lid on, you’ll be tempted to peek at it – don’t!).
  6. Meanwhile, chop cashews finely. After the rest period, add nuts to couscous. Gently fluff with a fork. Return the lid and let rest another minute or 2.
  7. Serve hot or cold, sprinkled with cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 204Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 403mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g

This recipe is one of the meals on our Meal Plan Master List.  Check it out here

Another great side dish idea:
25+ Tasty & Healthy Ways to Make Fries WITHOUT Potatoes

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