INGREDIENTS

  • 2 2/3 cups couscous (about 1 pound)
  • 2 2/3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup sugar (or Splenda)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or I like to use butter!)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted mixed nuts (such as walnuts, blanched almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts)
  • 1 (8ounce)box pitted dates , cut into pieces (can use dried cherries, raisins, cranberries, or apricots!)
  • 2 cups milk , hot
  • additional sugar

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Place couscous in large bowl.
  3. Bring water, sugar and oil (or butter) to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar.
  4. Pour mixture over couscous and stir until well blended.
  5. Cover and let stand 10 minutes.
  6. Fluff with fork.
  7. Mix nuts and dates into couscous.
  8. Transfer couscous to 13×9" baking dish. Cool. Cover with foil.
  9. Bake couscous until heated through, about 20 minutes. Spoon into bowls.
  10. Serve, passing hot milk and additional sugar separately.