Cranberry Persimmon Couscous

Cranberry Persimmon Couscous combines the flavors of fruit and spices to make an easy and elegant side dish.

Cranberry Persimmon Couscous
by Sue Lau | Palatable Pastime

Sometimes there are those serendiptious moments when recipes happen. In this case it was my husband bringing home a persimmon from a fruit plate at work no one had eaten (his employer provides things like these occasionally.) I knew I needed to use it soon so as not to waste it, since they are best when firm.

I thought about making rice, sort of a fruity take on wild rice, to serve with some grilled steaks. But as the moment approached, my thoughts of rice turned to couscous, since couscous is quick and simple (and as well, we had just eaten rice the day before.) And many times I have eaten couscous with a bit of spice and various fruits like raisins, so this became the “idea du jour” to use up that persimmon.

I know there aren’t a whole lot of recipes out there for persimmons, except maybe persimmon pudding. Some of you may never have even tried this lovely fruit, not knowing what to do with it. But they are quite good, and make a nice addition to recipes like this one. I do hope you give it a try, and expand your repertoire of fruit dishes for the autumn months in quick and simple fashion.

~Sue

Cranberry Persimmon Couscous

Servings: 4-5
Time: 30mins
Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger root
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 firm fuyu persimmons, chopped
1 cup pearl couscous
2 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
salt and black pepper
1 cup water
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Method:

Saute onion in olive oil until translucent.
Stir in the ginger root, garlic and persimmons and cook until onion is soft.
Add couscous and stir until couscous is lightly browned (a minute or two.)
Stir in chopped scallions, dried cranberries, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and water.
Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for five minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to sit covered, and undisturbed for about 15 minutes.
Remove lid and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.

From the kitchen of palatablepastime.com