The Barefoot Contessa Side That's Barely Cooking, According to Ina Garten 'It Is Literally as Ea

Get ready to say, “How easy is that?” Ina Garten’s Curried Couscous is a Barefoot Contessa side dish the longtime Food Network star once compared to boiling water. Talk about one of the celebrity chef’s “How easy is that?” moments.

Ina Garten’s Curried Couscous ‘doesn’t feel like cooking’

This is an OG Barefoot Contessa dish that, like many others, is simple to make. Garten included the recipe for Curried Couscous in her first-ever Barefoot Contessa cookbook, appropriately named The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. 

Now a cookbook author with titles in the double digits — Garten’s latest, Modern Comfort Food,  debuted in 2020 — the Barefoot Contessa talked about how easy Curried Couscous is to make in her debut cookbook. 

“This dish may have lots of ingredients but it doesn’t feel like cooking, so I love to make it,” she said. “It is literally as easy as boiling water.” 

“I actually make it with different vegetables each time, also looking in the pantry for inspiration,” she added. “That’s when the best surprises happen.”

Garten also noted that golden raisins or dried cranberries are good substitutes for dried currants. Additionally, she called her Curried Couscous a “terrific side dish for chicken or lamb.”

How to make the Barefoot Contessa’s Curried Couscous

Now for instructions on how to make Garten’s Curried Couscous. Food Network has all the details, which add up to a measly two steps. Remember the cooking show host did say it’s as easy as boiling water. 

The first step is all about the couscous. Garten puts it in a medium bowl. Then she melts butter in boiling water before pouring it over the couscous. Next, she covers the couscous and lets it soak for approximately five minutes. When the time is up she fluffs it with a fork. 

In another bowl, Garten whisks together the ingredients that flavor the couscous. They range from yogurt and “good” olive oil to vinegar and spices. Once it’s all combined she pours the yogurt mixture over the couscous and tosses everything together with a mix of vegetables, currants, scallions, and more. 

Lastly, she seasons it with salt and pepper to taste and serves it at room temperature. All in all, Garten’s Curried Couscous is a 20-minute Barefoot Contessa side dish. Just as the 73-year-old remarked in The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, it does appear to be as easy as boiling water. 

Garten’s Curried Couscous may not be mentioned in the same breath as other memorable recipes from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook such as Outrageous Brownies or Perfect Roast Chicken but the dish is popular nonetheless. 

At the time of writing, Garten’s Curried Couscous averages five stars on Food Network. The recipe’s been reviewed by no less than 82 people. And, save for a few remarks about Garten oversalting, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. 

“This is a fabulous make-ahead dish for a party,” wrote one reviewer. “It looks terrific and adds great colour to a buffet table.” 

“This is a beautiful recipe and it has so many flavors that complement each other,” added another.

Also peppering the comments were people describing it as the best couscous recipe ever. Some said it’s ideal for any type of get-together. “I’m a vegetarian and I bring this dish to every potluck/family dinner/whenever,” a reviewer said. “I never leave with leftovers. It’s easy, and it’s delicious.”

Others highlighted the versatility of Garten’s Curried Couscous, saying they too make modifications based on what they have at home. But no matter what they use it always turns out good. 

A simple Barefoot Contessa recipe? Check. Ready in 20 minutes? Check. Versatile? Check. Made with familiar — and fresh — ingredients? Check. Garten’s Curried Couscous has all the hallmarks of a classic Barefoot Contessa dish. As she says, fabulous.

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