How to Cook Couscous

Couscous is a typical Berber food, which has gone onto become popular in a number of countries around the world. The couscous granules are made by rolling and shaping moistened semolina wheat into spherical shapes and then coating the granules with finely ground wheat flour. The traditional couscous recipe takes considerable amount of preparation time and it is often steamed. In some places around the word, quick cook couscous is available, which has become popular because it takes lesser time to cook. Meat or vegetable stew is used to serve with couscous, however it can also be eaten flavored, plain, warm or cold or even as a side dish. Couscous can also be used to make porridge or it can also be garnished with fruits as desserts. Now that we have decided to cook couscous, let's see the process for the same.

Cooking Couscous from Scratch

Cooking couscous is very simple. There are various variations of couscous, which you can explore. We will start with the simple way of cooking couscous.

Simple Method
This is the basic method of cooking couscous. In a large sauce pan, come one part of couscous with one part of water. Add the flavoring you want to add at this stage. Bring the couscous and water to a boil. When the mixture begins to boil, turn off the heat immediately. Cover the sauce pan and let the couscous sit for approximately 10 minutes. Remove the lid and plump couscous with a fork and couscous is ready to be served.

In Microwave
You can also cook couscous in the microwave. For which you can use 1 cup couscous with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper, ¼ teaspoon allspice and 1 ½ cup water. Place couscous granules in a microwave proof casserole. Pour oil and stir until all grains are coated with oil. This will ensure, that the granules do not stick to one another. Add pepper and allspice to the couscous and stir well. Place the casserole in the microwave and cook it on high for 1 minute. Stir water in couscous and cook it on high till water is absorbed and the granules become tender for about 2 to 3 minutes. Once the couscous is cooked, plump it with a fork and couscous is ready to be served.

Balsamic Vinegar Couscous Recipe
This is a simple recipe to make, couscous. Let's see how to make it.

Ingredients

• Couscous 1 cup
• Mint Sauce 2 tablespoons
• Balsamic Vinegar 2 tablespoons
• Mixed Herbs 1 tablespoons
• Olive Oil 3 tablespoons
• Water 1 ¼ cup
• Salt to taste
• Freshly Ground Pepper as per taste

Method

• Pour the couscous granules in a microwaveable container.
• Add herbs, salt, black pepper, mint sauce and balsamic vinegar and mix it all up with a fork.
• Once you have mixed all the ingredients well, you will note, that it has become dry.
• Pour water into the pan, cover it with a lid and place the container into the microwave on max for about a minute.
• Remove the container from the microwave and let it sit outside for about thirty seconds. Before you open the lid entirely, ensure you have let the steam out of it.
• Then drizzle olive oil over the couscous and fluff it up with a fork.

Sweet Couscous Recipe
If you like couscous sweet, then you will want to try this recipe.

Ingredients

• Couscous 2 cups
• Water 3 cups
• Sweet Raisins 2 cups
• Butter 2 tablespoons
• Onion (chopped) 1
• Blanched Almonds 4 tablespoons
• Chopped Dried Apricots ½ cup
• Cinnamon 2 tablespoons
• Turmeric ½ teaspoon
• Ground Ginger 1 teaspoon
• Salt ½ teaspoon
• Honey 3 tablespoons
• Chopped Oranges 2

Method

• In a saucepan bring water to a boil.
• Place couscous in a bowl and pour the water on the couscous.
• Add raisins to couscous and cover the bowl.
• After about 15 minutes, drain the raisins and couscous.
• Heat a pan on low and add butter.
• Add onions and sauté the onions and all the other spices and stir well.
• Then other than the oranges and couscous and raisins, add all the other ingredients to the pan.
• Let the ingredients simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Place a steamer on top of the pan and let the couscous cook for a while.
• Place the couscous on a plate and pour sauce on it and garnish with chopped oranges.

There are many variations of cooking couscous. How to cook couscous will not be a question, you will be faced with once you start exploring.