Couscous is a dish which can easily replace pasta or spaghetti, though it does not fall in the same category. It is a highly nutritious dish savored by people in various countries like Africa, Morocco and Cyprus. There are various types of couscous but the basic base of the dish remains the same. Making couscous is a very easy process. Let’s find out how to make the basic couscous and then you can add any accompaniments to it to make a couscous dish of your own. Read on.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 20-25 minutes
Resources Required:
- 2 cups of semolina or durum wheat granules or couscous granules
- Warm water
- 3 cups of hot water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon butter
- A large pot with a lid
- A large bowl
Instructions:
1. Wet couscous with warm water
Take a large bowl. Now using one hand add a handful of wheat granules to the bowl and with the other hand add warm water. Keep doing this turn by turn and tossing it till the whole 2 cups of granules are mixed with water. Do not make a paste, just wet the granules till they are soft. Use a fork to mix well continuously. Do not add the water in one go as it would not fluff the couscous.
2. Boil water in a pot
Place the pot on the burner and pour water into it. Bring this to a boil. Add the butter to the water and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. You can even add vegetable broth or meat stock instead of water.
3. Add the couscous
Now add the soft couscous or wheat granules to the water and mix well. Place the lid and simmer this for about 1 hour. Keep checking to see if the couscous has been cooked. The couscous turns soft and all the water is sucked in the granules to make them eatable.
4. Sit the couscous for 5 minutes
Once the cooking is done, do not remove the couscous immediately from the pot. Let it sit in the pot for about 5 minutes with the lid on. Then remove the couscous in a plate and fluff the couscous with the help of a fork.
5. Add other ingredients
You can add boiled vegetables, roasted vegetables, meat, fish to this couscous and serve hot. Steamed chicken and fish go very well with couscous and hence make a great dish.To have sweet couscous, you can add sugar to it along with pine nuts almonds and dry fruits.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can any other liquid be used to cook couscous instead of water?
You can use vegetable stock or meat stock to cook couscous instead of water.
2. How much water is required to cook 1 cup of couscous?
The ratio to be followed is 1:1.25, with 1 cup of couscous add 1.25 cups of water.
3. Can you team couscous with fish?
Yes, you can use steamed salmon along with couscous to make a tasty dish.
4. How to make sweet couscous for dessert?
After the couscous is ready and tender, remove it from the pot in a deep dish. Fluff the couscous and add powdered white sugar, about 1 cup, to it. Mix well. sugar should be added when the couscous is hot so that it melts well and mixes with the cooked couscous. Now, you can add dry fruits, pomegranate, nuts and half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to this mixture. Serve this hot or cold, as per your choice.
Quick Tips:
- Use couscous as a side dish with whatever you like, for example fish, meat, vegetables, cream and more.
- Couscous can be served hot as well as cold.
- You can make yummy desserts with couscous.
- Eat it for lunch and dinner to make a healthy meal.
Things To Watch Out For:
- Make sure the granules of couscous are cooked properly before serving them. They should get fluffy.
- Let the couscous rest before you remove it from the pot.
- Do not overcook the couscous and keep stiring it during the cooking process.
