Pumpkin Infused Couscous Bowls

Why is it that I can NEVER handle plastic wrap with ease? I spent a good half of my morning trying to unravel the mess I created with the plastic wrap all because I was trying to get some wrap out in a hurry. Getting foil out in a hurry is not a problem so why should plastic wrap be?

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Okay, now that I have recovered from the plastic wrap war lets talk Pumpkin! It is finally (say it with me) FALL and I think pretty much everyone is excited about that but in particular those pumpkin lovers out there and you know who you are. I myself may or may not have picked up a scalding hot pumpkin latte the other day even though the weather is still a piping 95 degrees but hey- its Fall right? So I will just go with it until the weather decides to play along.

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My husband is NOT a pumpkin lover. He doesn’t really care for the texture and neither do my kids for that matter. With their “preference” in mind and still wanting to do some type of pumpkin side dish I decided to do a pumpkin infusion instead of using the pumpkin itself. Couscous is the perfect ingredient to work with when trying to infuse a flavor. Whether you are cooking with pearl couscous or the traditional kind it soaks up the flavor of the liquid in a matter of seconds. This is a side dish of all side dishes when it comes to ease and speed and it is presents itself so nicely when served in carved out mini pumpkins! I hope you will get in the Fall spirit and give this a try. Regardless of whether your family enjoys the flavor/texture of pumpkin or not they will love this dish. The pumpkin flavor marries perfectly with the spices and creates a nice woodsy and rich aroma.

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Pumpkin Infused Couscous
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 TBSP butter
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning (not the ranch packets but in the spice isle, combo of rosemary, thyme, oregano and parsley
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 2 cups couscous
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, combine all the ingredients except the couscous. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring. Remove from heat and pour in the couscous, stir just once and cover with lid and allow to sit for 5 minutes. When time to serve, using a fork ONLY, lightly fluff the couscous.

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22 comments

  1. val

    Creatively Delicious!

  2. Sues

    I love the idea of pumpkin infused foods! And this is so perfectly plated!

  3. jackie @ marin mama cooks

    Hey girl! We had a bit of fall weather this past weekend, but now it’s back to 75-80 degree days and I have to say that I’m digging it. I love the sun and being outside. I love that we can still have dinner on the deck and there is nothing better than going to the kids soccer and fall ball games and sitting in the warm sun! It rocks.
    It’s so nice to see something with pumpkin that isn’t cakey or sugary. I never thought to use pumpkin puree in a savory dish, but I’m so trying this. It would be a great side for chicken or pork chops ! I hope you’re having a blissful week girl! xoxo, Jackie

  4. Eva Taylor

    Sorry Jessica, I’m not a pumpkin fan either. But I do love pumpkin seeds so I’ll be making roasted seeds this fall, we just bought three pumpkins to carve for Halloween!

  5. Angie@Angie's Recipes

    95 degrees!!! That’s more like SUMMER! Actually it’s even hotter than our summer.
    The couscous in pumpkin bowl looks excellent!

  6. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    I love pumpkin. We don’t have “fall” in Australia, only Autumn. It doesn’t matter right now because it’s Spring. 🙂 I still think like an American and October is pumpkin and cinnamon and cardamom and cloves. 🙂 I love your couscous.

  7. Roz

    I think great minds or at least creative minds think alike Jessica — love your fall presentation too. Don’t you just love Mother Nature’s gifts she brings in autumn to use creatively? I like pumpkin, but in small doses, but my husband adores it. Love how you added it to healthy couscous! Happy fall sweet friend! xo Roz

  8. kitchen flavours

    This looks delicious! We love couscous and making it with pumpkin sounds so yummy! I love pumpkin!
    Thanks for sharing!

  9. sandie

    I was just thinking of you this morning – glad to see that you are still making mouth-watering food!

  10. 2 Sisters Recipes

    Absolutley LOVE an easy recipe and this couscous sounds so yummy – genius idea to serve in the mini pumpkins !

  11. yummychunklet

    Great pumpkin bowl idea!

  12. Liz

    LOL…I just had a chat with the hubby about plastic wrap…we’re having troubles here, too! I adore couscous and this is such a wonderful presentation! And the pumpkin infused couscous with Italian spices sounds darned delicious!!!

  13. Asmita

    Awesome dish and presentation. Love it!

  14. Joanne

    I love that the couscous is made IN the pumpkin! So beautiful!

  15. Veronica's Kitchen

    Seeing those pumpkin remains me of Christmas is approaching! None of the man in my house like pumpkin as well and I keep trying to serve to them in different ways cos pumpkin is such a nice food!

  16. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert

    My husband doesn’t love it either. I offered to make pumpkin soup this weekend but he’s not interested. And that is from a man who adores squash! Oh well – this is a wonderful recipe and a great way to flavor the couscous.

  17. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    So autumny! Love that you served in into pumpkin bowls 🙂

  18. Mary

    Beautiful, healthy and delicious!! and with the exception of the plastic wrap – easy! LOVE this :))
    Mary x

  19. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    Very creative, Jessica! I love the pumpkin bowls that you used to serve! My kids are not so into couscous and I need to figure out a way to encourage them to try. This pumpkin make capture their interest though. 🙂

  20. Linda

    I’m just crazy about the presentation!! I think this is a fabulous tip for infusing even more pumpkin into my meals this season!!

  21. Balvinder

    I love this pumpkin infused couscous and the presentation is very catchy.

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