Tunisian Farka

Description
Tunisian Farka, Serves 8

Ingredients

 * 2 2/3 cups couscous (about 1 pound)
 * 2 2/3 cups water
 * 1/2 cup Sugar
 * 1/4 cup vegetable oil
 * 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted mixed nuts (such as walnuts, blanched almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and pine nuts)
 * 1 8-ounce box pitted dates, cut into pieces
 * 2 cups milk, hot
 * Additional Sugar

Directions

 * 1) Place couscous in large bowl.
 * 2) Bring 2 2/3 cups water, 1/2 cup Sugar and oil to boil in heavy large saucepan, stirring to dissolve Sugar.
 * 3) Pour mixture over couscous and stir until well blended.
 * 4) Cover and let stand 10 minutes.
 * 5) Fluff with fork to separate grains.
 * 6) Mix nuts and dates into couscous.
 * 7) Transfer couscous to 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cool.
 * 8) Cover with foil. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
 * 9) Preheat oven to 350 °F.
 * 10) Bake couscous until heated through, about 20 minutes. Spoon into bowls.
 * 11) Serve, passing hot milk and additional Sugar separately.