Honey orange couscous (Egypt)

Across Northern Africa couscous is served as a dinner item, but in Egypt couscous is often served as a sweet treat or side dish.  Pasta for desert!  Could you imagine?

You have been through the USA, Japan, Italy, and now Egypt!  What a trip!  I hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have here at Inner Child Food.  Our kids are enjoying putting their new stamps on their passport and tasting new and interesting flavors.  If you are an Instagram lover like me, please post your kids tasty and crafty adventures and, as always, tag your fun with #kidsculinarypassport.

Get ready to enjoy this yummy Egyptian treat!

Egyptian people do not eat much meat, milk, or dairy.   Bread is served often with every meal.  Breads are made from a mix of grains like barley, rice, or corn flour instead of wheat flour like in the USA.  They use their wheat flour for making pastas like couscous.  Couscous is a teeny tiny pasta.  So tiny that you don’t even have to leave the heat on to cook it!  This easy desert was inspired by the flavors and textures of Egyptian foods as well as to suit the tender pallet of my own kids.  I hope you enjoy it!

Honey Orange Couscous (Egypt)

1 1/2 cups couscous

2 cups water

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon all spice

sliced or slivered almonds

In a sauce pan, bring water and orange juice to a boil.  Add in raisins and turn to med heat.  Allow to simmer until raisins are soft and plump.  Add in honey and spices and mix well.  Then add in couscous, put the lid on the pan and turn off the heat.  Leave for 10 minutes.  Take off the lid and fluff the couscous with a fork.  Serve with almonds and a drizzle of honey on top.

This post is part of our Kids’ Culinary Passport series, designed for parents and kids to cook and craft their way around the world together! Every week this month, we’ll feature a new country with a recipe and quick craft project. It’s FREE, fun, and educational. Share photos of your kids’ creations on Instagram using hashtag #KidsCulinaryPassport, or on our Inner Child Food Facebook Page.

Join us, and get your free printable passport with stamps here!