Easy Couscous Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to couscous for flavor? ›

Throw in some herbs and spices

Add some cumin, paprika or turmeric (or create a spice mix that you love) to the cooking water for a subtle warmth and depth. Alternatively, toss the cooked couscous with fresh herbs like mint, parsley or coriander for a burst of freshness.

Follow 1:1 Liquid to Couscous Ratio.

If you plan to cook 1 cup of couscous, you'll need 1 cup of boiling broth or water (but look at the couscous package as some may require a different ratio). Use too much liquid and your couscous will be a bit on the sticky side.

It makes a fluffy bed for veggies, fish, and meats, and perfectly soaks up hearty Moroccan chicken or lamb stews. You can even chill your couscous and toss it into a tasty Mediterranean salad! It's true what they say about it—it's the pasta so nice, they named it twice!

Weight Loss Aid

Perhaps the best known-quality of couscous is its low calorie count, which makes it an ideal dietary food. People on diets are often looking for low-calorie substitutes to the food they love, and grains are often solution. They are filling, relatively easy to cook, and low in calories.

While couscous and white rice have almost the same amount of calories per 100 grams, couscous contains more protein and higher amounts of vitamins and minerals so can be considered a healthier option in those departments. Both grains can support weight loss when incoporated into a balanced, healthy diet.

Couscous is packed with nutrients and has better selenium per serving than white rice when it comes to selenium and other elements. It is light and filling, making it a good choice for busy professionals, families and people who don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to prepare a healthy, delicious meal.

Stir in the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne and paprika. Continue stirring over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then add vegetable broth, tomato puree and currants. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes. Remove the sauce from heat and stir in fresh lemon (or lime) juice to your taste.

The proportions for cooking couscous are generally 1:1.

A little less water makes drier couscous, good for salads or serving with sauces. A little more water makes softer and slightly sticky couscous. One cup of dried couscous makes about four cups of cooked couscous.

There's no need to wash or rinse the couscous before cooking it as it doesn't contain starch. The butter/oil is optional, but it will help the grains to separate so it's recommended. Add the couscous to boiling water, and then take it off of the heat to avoid it overcooking.

Couscous has a nutritional profile similar to white pasta, high in carbohydrates without other health benefits such as fiber or protein content. If you are looking to enjoy food with a higher carbohydrate content, there isn't much difference between choosing pasta or couscous.

Is couscous the same as quinoa? ›

Couscous and quinoa differ in taste and texture. Couscous has a neutral flavor, which means it tastes similar to the ingredients it was cooked with, in contrast, quinoa has a slightly fatty flavor. In terms of texture, couscous is as soft as pasta, whereas, quinoa is crispier.

While many believe that it is a type of grain, such as rice or barley, it is actually a type of pasta. (Hint: some grocery stores may stock couscous in the pasta section, but most will often stock it in the grain section, next to the rice). Couscous is pasta made from semolina flour mixed with water.

Semolina flour is made by grinding the endosperm of durum wheat. It's considered a high-gluten product. Since couscous is made from semolina flour, it contains gluten. This makes it off limits for those with a gluten allergy or intolerance.

From being a rich source of protein to its relatively high fibre content, couscous offers a nutritional boost that can positively impact your overall well-being and offer a welcome alternative to eating pasta every day of the week.

Although your usual favourite carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice, noodles and potatoes are very popular, they're not the only options. You could try grains like couscous, quinoa and barley to introduce a new flavour to your favourite dishes.

If your couscous is always boring and flat-tasting, try cooking it in something besides plain water. Couscous has a natural nutty flavor that isn't exactly explosive, but can be enhanced to great effect by a flavorful liquid.

Rehydrating Couscous with Hot Water

Cover, and let the couscous steam for 5 minutes. When you lift the lid, the grains will appear flat in an even layer. Use a fork to fluff it up and break up the clumps for light and fluffy couscous. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a little salt.

Like most Moroccan meals, couscous is traditionally served in a communal large round plate that everyone sits around to enjoy together. It's usually accompanied by small bowls full of extra broth to pour over the couscous.

Couscous is a dried and cracked pasta made from semolina, like tiny pasta, meaning it cooks at lightning speed. It has a nutty, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with stews, braises, and grilled or roasted veggies.