Israeli Couscous With Pistachios and Apricots

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups israeli couscous
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2-3 pinches black pepper, several pinches
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 lime, zest of
• 1/4 cup mint, fresh and chopped and divided
• 1/2 cup dried apricot, chopped to raisin size
• 1/2 cup pistachios, shelled
• 1/2 lime, juice of

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium-low heat.

2. 2

   Place the garlic and oil in the pan and saute for 1 minute.

3. 3

   Add the couscous, raise the heat to medium, and stir constantly for 4 to 5 minutes; the couscous should start to toast.

4. 4

   Add the water, cinnamon stick, cumin, cardamom, pepper, salt, and lime zest.

5. 5

   Raise the heat and bring to a boil.

6. 6

   Once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat again to as low as possible and cover.

7. 7

   In about 10 minutes, most of the water should have been absorbed.

8. 8

   Add 2 tablespoons of the mint, and the apricots, pistachios, and lime juice.

9. 9

   Stir, cover again, and cook for 5 more minutes.

10. 10

    At this point, the water should be thoroughly absorbed.

11. 11

    Remove the cinnamon stick, fluff the couscous with a fork, garnish with the remaining mint, and serve.