Couscous is a versatile and easy-to-prepare grain dish that originated in North Africa. It is made from semolina, which is a type of wheat. Here's a basic method for preparing couscous:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 1/4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions:
Measure out the desired amount of couscous. As a general rule, 1 cup of dry couscous will yield about 3 cups of cooked couscous, which is enough for about 4 servings.
In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. You can add some salt to the liquid if desired, although it's not necessary.
Once the liquid is boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the olive oil or butter. This will help keep the couscous fluffy and prevent it from sticking together.
Add the couscous to the saucepan and give it a quick stir to ensure that all the grains are coated with the liquid.
Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid and let it sit for about 5 minutes. The couscous will absorb the liquid and soften during this time.
After 5 minutes, remove the lid and fluff the couscous with a fork. Gently separate any clumps that may have formed.
Taste the couscous and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
Your couscous is now ready to serve! It can be enjoyed as a side dish alongside roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or stews. You can also customize your couscous by adding herbs, spices, vegetables, or nuts to enhance the flavor and texture.
Note: This is a basic method for preparing plain couscous. If you have a flavored couscous mix or a specific recipe in mind, you may need to follow different instructions and adjust the cooking time and liquid ratio accordingly.