Couscous
This Middle Eastern grain has become increasingly popular in the U.S. thanks to its delicious texture and flavor and slew of health benefits.
What You Should Know About Couscous
In North Africa and the Middle East, couscous is a culinary staple in the way rice or poatoes are in the U.S. And no wonder, as this classic dish made of semolina ground into tiny balls is rightly regarded as extremely nutritious, delicious and inexpensive. Depending on the country or region, it's produced from different grain such as wheat, barley or millet. However, the most common couscous is made from durum wheat semolina.
Regardless of the type of grain, couscous is made by mixing semolina with water until a coarse granulate forms.
Our Favorite Couscous Recipes
Find all our couscous recipes here.
How Healthy Is Couscous?
Like all grain products, couscous is has a high carbohydrate content. However these carbohydrates are primarily complex carbohydrates, meaning they keep you full for a long time. Couscous also contains vert little fat and sugar, while it's packed with fiber. It's also high in minerals and B vitamins.
| COUSCOUS NUTRITIONAL INFO (100 g) (uncooked, on average) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 356 |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Fat | 2.8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fiber | 7.8 g |
Shopping and Cooking Tips for Couscous
Purchasing
Couscous can easily be bought in bulk, so that you always have the versatile semolina at hand for delicious recipes. Since couscous is made from crushed grain, you should seal opened packages well or put them in tightly sealed cans and consume them as soon as possible. The vegetable fat contained in couscous can become rancid, so it's important to keep couscous dry and stored in a cool place.
Preparation
Making couscous is simple. For two portions, bring one cup of lightly salted water to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add a cup of couscous to the hot water. Leave the couscous to stand in the closed pot for about five minutes. Then loosen the swollen couscous with a fork and add some butter or olive oil to taste, along with salt and pepper.
What To Make With Couscous
One of the many advantages of couscous is its versatility; couscous can be served as a side dish instead of rice, millet, quinoa or noodles, or mixed with vegetables such as carrots or tomatoes for salads or a casserole. It's also a delicious way to add fiber and texture to soups.
Couscous also makes for a delicious base for sweet dishes. Simply combine with your favorite fruit, some nutmeg and cinnamon and a little honey, for a quick and nutritious sweet treat.
