Easy Couscous Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to couscous for flavor? ›

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.

All couscous is made from semolina. Semolina is the name we give to flour that is ground from durum wheat. Durum wheat is a very hard wheat, higher in protein than the wheat all-purpose flour is made from. Semolina is golden yellow and gives couscous a nuttier taste than a pasta made with all-purpose flour.

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.

A healthier alternative to white rice

Couscous provides more protein and a greater contribution of vitamins and minerals than the equivalent portion of white rice.

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.

Whole-grain couscous is a good source of fiber. Fiber is good for you in a lot of ways. It can stop your blood sugar from spiking and can keep you fuller longer. It also can help lower cholesterol, which can reduce your chances of heart disease.

Couscous is a type of pasta that's made from semolina wheat flour and water. The subtle nutty flavor of couscous makes it a versatile ingredient that can be combined with fruits, vegetables and meats to create an excellent main or side dish. One of the most noteworthy aspects of couscous is its speedy cooking time.

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.

Do you need to wash couscous? ›

Always start by rinsing your couscous under cold water. With this small step you can remove excess starch and help it cook evenly to reach tender perfection. For a hands-off approach, boil your couscous in water, broth, or chicken stock. Use an equal amount of couscous and liquid.

Kettle and Bowl Version (faster and easier!) Add 1 cup of couscous to a bowl. Boil some water in a kettle. Pour 1 cup of boiling water into the bowl, add a pinch of sea salt if desired, stir and cover it with a plate.

Couscous isn't really cooked, more rehydrated. Depending on the brand you use, this can take anything from 5 to 15 mins, with an average of about 10 mins. Try a small amount – if it's soft then you're good to fluff, but if it's at all crunchy, cover and leave for a few mins more before fluffing.

Couscous is not gluten-free, but quinoa is gluten-free. Compared to couscous, quinoa has stronger anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. With 7 percent fewer calories per 100 grams of cooked couscous than quinoa, it is healthier for weight loss. Every 100 grams of cooked quinoa has 120 calories.

5. Couscous. Couscous is a processed grain product that's typically made from semolina flour or durum wheat. A staple in many Middle Eastern and Moroccan dishes, couscous is relatively low in carbs, with around 34.5 grams of net carbs in each 1 cup (157 gram) serving of cooked couscous ( 16 ).

Couscous is a dish made of tiny steamed balls of semolina flour, and like any grain-based staple, couscous can either have a subtle yet delicious flavor or turn out incredibly bland, depending on how you cook it. If your couscous is always boring and flat-tasting, try cooking it in something besides plain water.

I cook couscous with a third more water then the amount of cous cous, then throw some butter in to stop it drying out. Big fan of cous cous, it just takes on any flavour you throw at it, soy sauce, chicken stock, chilli sauce, whatever. All good.

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 traditional Moroccan dish, eaten on Fridays - the day of congregational prayer. Huge groups gather around one big table a eat the dish together, normally by hand. Lben, a type of buttermilk, is the drink paired with the dish.