Couscous - need your ideas please!

[emkana]

I bought a packet of plain couscous, which I've never eaten, let alone cooked before.

Would like to try it, though! The problem is that neither dh nor the dd's are keen on anything too "exotic", so I'm now trying to think what to make it with? How do you normally eat couscous? And what with?

I know you can make a salad with it, but I don't want to do that, leave that for the summer when it's really hot!

THANKS in advance!

[compo]

here you go

[Magscat]

It's great with curry or mexican dishes or with salad. Liven it up by adding raisins or sunflower seeds (really good for you) or sundried tomatoes or squeeze a bit of lemon on it. Or if you like, get one of the packets of flavoured couscous to begin with.
Just try a few different things - what have you got to lose?! Good luck.

[crouchingtigeress]

Couscous is often a replacement for rice. But the advantage is, it is much easier to cook - so is ideal when just in from work and need to make a quick, healthy meal in a hurry.

Method - I just add to hot water with extra 0.5cm space above. Leave for two mins, then zap in the microwave for 30secs. Add butter, stir and serve.

You can add, salt, or veg stock cube or herbs to water for flavour.

Meals - veg or lamb stew or with grilled salmon/chicken/chops and fish or veg kebabs or meatballs.

Goodluck

[Aimsmum]

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[crouchingtigeress]

Yep,ideal with roasted veg. Ooohhh,this thread is making me hungry.

[PinkFluffPudding]

Funnily enough I cooked couscous tonight... this is what i did:

Cooked according to packet instructions
Stirred in Rose Harissa paste by Belazu (lovely Moroccan style stuff found in posh speciality area of Sainsbury's) along with some butter and a little olive oil
Added swetcorn, borlotti beans and some sultanas (optional I guess)

Will defo be making again soon as it was LOVERRLY!!

[Gobbledigook]

I do this:

Fry onion in a little butter.
Add some frozen peas and sweetcorn and stir round for a couple of minutes.
Add 175ml of vegetable stock and simmer for 3 mins.
Stir in 65g cous cous then take off heat - cover and leave for 6 mins.

Hey presto!!

I also add chicken to this at the end and then I'd use chicken stock instead of veg stock.

I use it instead of rice (so just make it plain by pouring some in a bowl, pour boiling water over and then cover and leave for 5 mins or so) for the kids with veg and chicken.

Have also used it to add to ds3's pureed veg (he's 8 months)

[rickman]

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[emkana]

Thank you all again!
Gdg, how many people would that be for, roughly?

If you have any more ideas - keep them coming!

[TinyGang]

Thanks for this thread emkana . I've got a packet skulking about too and am not sure what to do with it. These recipes sound lovely.

[Gobbledigook]

Emkana - if we have that on it's own with chicken in it's enough for me and dh - a good sized portion too I think.

[lunavix]

Jamie does a gorgeous cous cous recipe. Its mixed with lemon and tomatos and peppers, really fresh with just a hint of chili. Really nice if you are having a nandos style chicken or something.

[blossom2]

my all time favourite recipe is:

peppers (whatever colour u like), diced
fresh parsley, roughly chopped
tomatos, diced
cucumber, diced
salt & pepper
just cooked crispy bacon

cook the couscous, then add all the ingredients. its warm and really nice with anything.

HTH

[ChaCha]

In North Africa cous-cous is often made as a dessert. Very nice.

Tesco's do a cous cous seasoning, I've tried the lemon and herb (didn't like it that much) and the Mediterranean (quite nice) and just added it too the cous cous directly after water. I like cous cous with sultanas, chicken etc..

Here's a Middle Eastern Recipe:

Ingredients
1 Chicken ,whole
2 cups Couscous
1 Onion ,medium size, chopped
2 tbsp Lemon Juice
2 packs Yoghurt
1 1/2 tbsp Butter ,or margarine
1 tbsp Saffron
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Garlic ,crushed
Salt and Pepper

Directions
Clean and wash chicken and cut into quarters. Put in a metal baking dish. Marinate with yoghurt, onion, garlic, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt and pepper and mix well.
Cover and put in a medium-high heat oven (180-190 C) and cook for 35-40 minutes until chicken is done.
Meanwhile, soak saffron into 2 tbsp water then drain through a fine sieve.
When chicken is almost done, put couscous in a glass bowl, cover with warm water and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Leave for 10 minutes until water is absorbed and couscous is soft but not mushy.
Pour couscous in a non-stick medium deep pan. Add 1 ½ tbsp butter, drained saffron water and cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly to make sure couscous doesn?t form any clumps.
Serve couscous on a platter, and chicken with sauce in another platter.

If you try it let me know...haven't done it yet but have tasted it..yum!