7 easy couscous recipes to add to your repertoire

Couscous is a North African dish made from steamed semolina (coarse wheat granules often used to make – among other things – pasta). Most store-bought couscous is pre-steamed and dried, which saves us cooking time.

When preparing your dish, keep in mind that 1 cup dried couscous makes 4 cups cooked couscous. Adjust the amount required accordingly.

How to cook couscous on the stovetop:
Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a pot with a lid. Add a pinch of salt and a glug of olive oil (or 1 T butter, if you prefer). Once boiling, add 2 cups dried couscous. Stir once with a spoon, cover with the lid, remove from the heat and leave to steam for 5 minutes.

Microwave cooking hack:
Bring a heatproof bowl of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt. Remove from the microwave and add couscous and salt. Stir once. Cover the bowl with a lid and place back in the microwave for a further 10 minutes.

Toasted couscous flavour hack:
To a pan, add olive oil or butter to taste. Once melted, stir in 1 cup couscous and fry until it smells fragrant and toasty. Boil 1½ cups water in a separate pot and, once boiling, pour water over the couscous. Leave to steam for 5 minutes.

Got your attention? Try one of these 7 recipes:

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What is your favourite way to use couscous? Tell us in the comments below.

Discover more couscous recipes here.