As I have said in my previous post couscous is an ingredient that every well stocked pantry should have.
Cooking couscous is very easy. You just pour some boiling stock (or water) over it, mix it well and cover it. Ten minutes later it is ready. Of course you can add in spices, salt and pepper to your taste when adding in the stock. You need to get the proportion of stock to couscous right as to much water can result in soggy couscous.
So you need to serve 10 people in a hurry? Well whip out your couscous, cook it and top with some grilled vegetables and some yoghurt sauce and you are good to go. Topping couscous with any variety of chopped herbs, nuts, citrus zest and dried fruits instantly transforms it.
I hope to inspire you to use this versatile grain some more with the next three posts which will introduce you to three different couscous recipes including an easy fruity one and a West African recipe.
In the mean time here is a guide on how to cook couscous. Try it and let me know what you think.
How to cook couscous
Ingredients
- 180 g couscous 1 cup
- Salt to taste
- 250 ml boiling water / stock 1 cup
Instructions
- Measure out the couscous and pour into a bowl.
- Add salt to your taste.
- Then pour over boiling water and mix well.
- Cover the couscous and let stand.
- After 5 min uncover and fluff up the couscous.
- Then cover again and let stand for a further 5 minutes.
- Uncover, fluff up the couscous, add desired toppings and serve.
Yumm Couscous! We love it and it has become a common dish in our houses in France. I have to confess that I have trouble to cook my couscous all light and fluffy. Mine always sticks a bit, although I am following my cousins recipe which is originally from Algeria. Any tips on what I might be doing wrong here?
Hi Helene,
Two things I would recommend. One reduce the water you normally would put in the couscous till it works for you. Try the quantities I give above. Also I found fluffing it in the middle of the 10 minutes seems to make a difference to me. Good luck.
This is so helpful! Everyone should have couscous in their cooking repertoire. I don’t always think of it, so this is a great reminder- thanks! 🙂
Had to pin this one. I’ve been wanting to try couscous for so long, but I admit, I’m nervous about making it!
Stopping by from the 14 Feb GYB Blog Hop