Today we’re going to talk about couscous and learn how to properly cook it and how to use it in a meal. Couscous is an incredibly versatile food and can be used in a number of ways – as a main dish and as a side. It can also be combined with a variety of flavors and spices to create a mind numbing range of dishes, which makes it one of our favorite foods to cook with – especially because it’s a great base for experimenting with different recipes and flavors.
Many people think that couscous is a grain, but it’s actually not. It’s a type of semolina, which is a byproduct of grains after they are milled for flour. Semolina is also used as a base for puddings and pasta, so that should give you a better idea of its texture and consistency.
Another fun thing to note is that the couscous that we buy in a bag at the grocery store is actually instant couscous. Traditionally, couscous has to be steamed before it’s ready to cook. The good news is that instant couscous is just as good and takes a fraction of the time to cook.
How to Cook Couscous
It doesn’t get much easier than cooking couscous (ok, maybe cooking quinoa is a close second), and it’s also one of the quickest things you can throw together in the kitchen. Couscous only requires water, salt, a stovetop and 10 minutes of your time. Start by using 1 cup of water for every 1 cup of dry couscous you cook. Couscous is easy in that you can modify it by using slightly less water to create couscous that is drier, and slightly more water for softer, stickier couscous.
For 1 cup of couscous, add 1 cup of water to a small saucepan. Bring water to boil over high heat and add 1 Tablespoon of butter. Once water is boiling, remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of couscous and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cover saucepan and let the couscous sit for 10 minutes or until the couscous has absorbed all of the water. Easy, right?
How to Microwave Couscous
For those of you that are even shorter on time (or that prefer not to use a stove), you can also cook couscous with the use of a microwave. Heat the water to boiling in the microwave and then pour the hot water over the couscous in a heat resistant bowl. Cover and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then it’s ready.
How to Toast Couscous
Now that you’re a pro at cooking couscous, you might want to take it up a notch. Toasting is another popular way of cooking and provides a few benefits, chief among them is really bringing out the flavor of the couscous. To toast couscous, start by heating 2 Tablespoons of butter in a medium skillet. Once it’s melted, add 1 cup of couscous and stir frequently until it’s lightly browned. Simultaneously, bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Once water is boiling, pour over couscous in the skillet, take off heat, cover, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Once the couscous has absorbed all of the water, fluff with a fork, and add a bit of salt to taste.
Do you have a favorite method for cooking couscous or a favorite way to use couscous in a dish? We want to hear about it, so share it with us in the comments!
