How To Cook Couscous: A Simple Guide

     
Here’s my straightforward guide on how to cook couscous.  In fact, couscous preparation is very easy, although there are a couple of ways you can do it.  Here's all you need to know.

About Couscous

Couscous is a staple food of North Africa.  Although it looks like a grain and is generally treated like one for cooking purposes, it is best described as a type of pasta as it is a manufactured product, made from wheat semolina. 

Couscous Nutrition

Couscous is a wheat product and as such is not suitable for those on a wheat or gluten free diet. It is however, rich in Magnesium and Zinc as well as Vitamins B and E.

How To Cook Couscous

The traditional way to cook couscous is by steaming the grain over a tagine or stew.  The idea is that the couscous will absorb the flavours of the main dish.  For most of us, this isn't the most practical approach though it is the most delicious.

The most common and easiest way to cook couscous is by simply soaking it in hot water.  Because couscous is a manufactured product, different brands may cook more quickly or use varying amounts of liquid to prepare. When measuring couscous and water, I generally use the same number of mililitres as grams which makes it easy to remember for me e.g. 100g of couscous to 100mls of water.  This converts to American cups as 2 cups of couscous to 1 cup of hot water.  

Recipes vary widely in what they recommend - many are more generous with the water than I am - which is what causes so much confusion on how to make couscous.  The good news is that it is hard to get wrong as long you are mean with the water like I am!  It's fine to add a little more after 5 or 10 minutes if it seems a little dry.

Basic Easy Couscous For Four People

These are the very basic instructions on how to cook couscous.  Olive oil or spices can be added with the water if you want to liven up this recipe a bit.  

Ingredients:

200g/8oz/2 cups of couscous
200ml/7fl oz/one cup of hot water 
Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Put the couscous in a large bowl.  Add the seasoning and pour over the water.
2. Cover with a towel and leave for 10 to 15 minutes undisturbed, then fluff up with a fork.  Never stir with a spoon as this will make the couscous mushy.

Steamed Couscous
Steaming the couscous gives a much lighter and fluffier result.  If you have time or are making a special meal, it is well worth the little bit of extra effort.

1. Follow the instructions for Easy Couscous above.
2. After fluffing up the couscous, transfer to a steamer.  If you don't have a steamer, put the couscous in a sieve lined with muslin or a clean tea-towel.  Place the sieve over a pot of boiling water and cover.
3. At this stage you can add some olive oil or a good knob of butter.   This is optional but it will really give your couscous a wonderful flavour and texture.  
4. Steam the couscous for 10 minutes, fluff up with a fork again and serve.

Now that you know how to cook couscous, why not experiment a bit.

Or try these great recipes for Moroccan Couscous or Pesto Couscous Salad.

Want to learn more about cooking vegetarian food?  Take a look at these Vegetarian Tips and Techniques.

 

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