When you think of healthy, vegan grain, you probably don’t picture pasta made from durum wheat. But couscous is one of those foods.
It’s made from steamed granules of rolled durum wheat semolina and is often served with stew.
Here’s what you should know about this delicious and nutritious grain. Read on to find out more!
couscous is a pasta made from durum wheat
Although it may seem like a pasta, couscous is actually a grain. The endosperm of durum wheat is ground into semolina and mixed with water to form a dough.
While pasta is more refined than couscous, it still contains a high amount of fiber and respectable nutrition levels. Its versatility makes it a great addition to your diet.
It can stand in for any pasta, but its best-known use is as a pasta substitute. Couscous can be prepared quickly by mixing durum wheat semolina with water. It only takes about five minutes to prepare and is a staple in many Middle Eastern dishes.
Traditionally, couscous is steamed and is eaten either hot or cold. However, you can also eat couscous as a substitute for rice, potatoes, or pasta.
It contains selenium
Couscous is packed with the mineral selenium, which is 60 percent of your daily requirement. Selenium has many beneficial effects on our bodies.
It fights free radicals, improves immunity, and reduces oxidative stress. Selenium also promotes thyroid health. Boosting your immune system is also an added bonus. It also boosts your energy level and lowers your risk of developing cancer.
The National Institutes of Health recommends that you consume around 55 micrograms of selenium each day. This equates to two hundred-gram servings and is associated with increased fertility, heart health, thyroid function, and cognitive function.
While selenium is beneficial for overall health, you should not feed your cat large amounts of couscous. For best results, serve couscous in smaller portions, and pair it with a variety of other protein-rich and amino acid-rich foods.
It is a good source of fiber
The health benefits of dietary fiber are numerous, and couscous is no exception. A cup of cooked couscous contains around two grams of fiber, compared to one cup of brown rice.
However, couscous is higher in simple carbohydrates, which cause a spike in blood sugar and a brief rush of energy. However, if you’re looking for a healthy replacement for refined white rice or pasta, cous is the way to go.
While conventional couscous does not count as a whole grain, it is still an excellent choice. A single cup of cooked couscous has about 175 calories, six grams of protein, and a gram of fiber.
You can buy whole wheat couscous in most large grocery chains and can also buy Israeli couscous, which has a higher fiber content.
It is a pantry staple
A grain-filled dish that’s similar to rice, couscous is an incredible staple in any home pantry. This versatile ingredient is easy to prepare, has many uses, and is versatile enough to work as a side dish or an entree.
You can dress it up or down according to your taste, and the versatility makes it a versatile ingredient for many types of cooking. Learn about its history and the many ways it can be used.
It’s easily available and also very cheap.
In North Africa, couscous is a staple of many meals, from stews to salads. Made from a dried blend of durum wheat and water, couscous cooks quickly and easily.
It can be used as a main dish, a simple side dish, or as a salad base. Because of its versatility, couscous is an ideal choice for people who need to save time.
What is the Best Way to Cook Couscous?
If you’re unfamiliar with a dish called ‘couscous,’ then read this article for some tips. You’ll learn how to make Moroccan couscous, Traditional mush, and Healthy instant bouillon.
You’ll also discover how to make Moroccan couscous in your own kitchen.
So how do you cook couscous? Read on to learn the proper method.
Traditional couscous
The traditional way to cook couscous is by steaming the granules over a stew. This allows the grains to absorb the flavor of the stew and become a delicious meal.
The dish is a staple of the Maghreb region, which is located in Northwest Africa.
It has earned UNESCO’s designation as an intangible cultural heritage, which recognizes it as a culinary treasure.
A couscoussier is a large, shallow pot that is usually made of earthenware, tin-plated copper, or aluminum. It has two parts: the bottom is a round pot, and the top serves as a colander.
A metal colander works well in a similar way. In addition to the couscous cooking pot, you can use a large shallow bowl to fluff the couscous between steamings.
Generally, a simple steamer like this will make perfect couscous.
Healthy instant couscous
Couscous is an excellent source of dietary fiber. This essential nutrient not only keeps you full for longer, but it also lowers cholesterol and protects against infection.
Plus, couscous is gluten-free, which means it can be a healthier substitute for white pasta or rice. So, the next time you want to add couscous to your meal, try opting for whole-grain varieties instead.
Using a fork is an easy way to fluff up your nutrient-dense steamed grains. Simply add 1 cup of water, a tablespoon of butter or olive oil and leave them for 10 minutes.
When done cooking, fluff with a fork to separate the grains. Once the couscous has absorbed the water, taste it and add fresh herbs and vegetables if desired.
Moroccan couscous
There are two main ways to cook Moroccan couscous. The first method requires using a couscoussiere.
A couscoussiere is a two-part vessel that includes a deep pot and a flat-bottomed colander.
The couscous steams above the pot while the pot remains at medium heat.
A stockpot and a colander are also suitable. A Chinese bamboo steamer will also work as a couscous steamer.
When cooking Moroccan bouillon, you need to use enough water to cover the grains. This will ensure that the couscous is cooked all the way through.
Once cooked, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If not, you can also thaw it overnight before reheating it.
The couscous can be served cold or at room temperature. If the Moroccan couscous is stored properly, it will last for at least three days.
Simple Authentic Couscous Cooking
Toasting Method
One of the best ways to make couscous is to cook it in a small pot. You can use a cast iron skillet or a large saucepan.
The first step is to toast the couscous in a skillet. It’s easy to do – just heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add some couscous.
Continue to toss it around until it turns a golden brown. Then, add your water and stir until the couscous is fully absorbed. After ten minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork to finish cooking.
One way to add more flavor to a plain couscous dish is to season it with fresh herbs and spices. Adding a dash of these to the cooked couscous can give it a great taste. You can also add chopped green onions and sauteed garlic.
Adding your favorite meats to your dish will certainly add to an already wonderful dish.
Even Simpler Way!
If you are interested in how to cook a tasty couscous dish even easier, read on to find out more about the process. If you are new to this meal, here are some simple tips and tricks you can use to prepare it easily.
The first step is to prepare the water. In a medium saucepan, heat water to a boil. Add couscous and cover the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes, and then remove the cover.
I use stock water which adds even more taste! This can be vegetable or meat-based.
Stir in garlic and dill, then add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt. Add pine nuts or parsley.
Another important tip for cooking couscous is to keep the water boiling.
Couscous cooks in a flash. Be sure to add at least one cup of water to your pot. Add 1 or two tablespoons of olive oil or butter to your boiling water.
Let it simmer for ten minutes, then stir the couscous to make sure it absorbs all the water.
Once prepared, the couscous will keep for three or four days when refrigerated.
To avoid spoilage, do not leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours. Once cooled, it can be served cold or at room temperature.
This dish can also be stored for up to five days. It can be reheated in the microwave or served as a side dish to stew or soup.
Looks tasty, doesn’t it?
You can even serve it with a simple cucumber salad. As an added bonus, this dish is easy to prepare and can be served for any meal.
You can also freeze cooked couscous. To do this, you need to spread it out on a baking sheet in an even layer to prevent it from clumping.
Then, put the baking sheet in the freezer, and cover the couscous to stay fresh. To serve, you can eat the couscous by itself or top it with roasted vegetables, tahini sauce, or your favorite protein.
Once the couscous has cooled, you can simply stir in some olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley. You can then serve the couscous with a glass of wine or a bowl of water.