"I saw Ina Gartner, the Barefoot Contessa, preparing this dish during the "Friends of Friends" episode of her show, and I had to make it. It certainly did not disappoint us. It was quite easy to make, and it’s such a flavorful side dish. One evening, when I wanted more for a main dish feel to the recipe, I tossed in some extra red kidney beans (that I had left over from making chili the day before), and it was a nice light (but filling) entrée for our family dinner. But I didn't include beans as an ingredient, since it's not part of the original recipe."

Original recipe yields 4-6 servings

Metric US

I've Tried It

Nutritional

Serving Size: 1 (355.2 g)
Calories 803.7
Total Fat - 26.1 g
Saturated Fat - 8.9 g
Cholesterol - 35.9 mg
Sodium - 565.5 mg
Total Carbohydrate - 117.9 g
Dietary Fiber - 8.1 g
Sugars - 9.9 g
Protein - 24.3 g
Calcium - 56.5 mg
Iron - 3.2 mg
Vitamin C - 3.8 mg
Thiamin - 0.4 mg

Step 1

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the shallots and sauté them over medium-low heat for 3 minutes or until translucent and tender.

Step 2

Add the chicken stock, salt and pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat. Stir in the couscous, cover the pan, and set aside for 10 minutes.