Pimp my couscous!

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

I like how quick and easy couscous is to make, plus I like the texture but it's undoubtedly bland. So hit me with your best ideas to make it more interesting

A tbsp (or two) of Sacla Fiery Chilli Pesto

Soak it in veg stock with a spoon of curry powder mixed in.
Oven roast some veg. I usually do red onion, peppers, courgette, aubergine and cherry tomatoes. Mushrooms sometimes. Mix it all together.

Our basic couscous: stock instead of water, raisins, butter or olive oil when fluffing.

Couscous with time to spare: roasted veg, olives, feta cheese

Sun-dried tomatoes and feta

Stir through some harissa, or Chipotle, or gojuchang paste. Or lemon zest and juice and chopped parsley. All work well as sides.

These all sound lovely!

Any ideas for when serving it cold? I was thinking maybe chopped grapes, walnuts and feta.

These ideas sound lovely. I was going to say that I would use chicken stock as mentioned already.

Zest and juice of a lemon, salt, black pepper, finely chopped parsley and a good glug of decent olive oil, mix together. Add 150g couscous, leave to soak in then add 200ml boiling water. Cover for 10 mins and fluff with a fork

My laziest way is to stir though pesto, whichever type you fancy or tapenade.

Ooh just remembered DD’s made one for food tech and it was lovely - we had it cold, if it helps. She used pancetta and some sort of nuts, possibly pine nuts but I think any would work. Grapes would be nice I think but I quite enjoy sweet/savoury together.

Turn it into tabouleh. Add in a cooked chopped chicken breast.

A ton of chopped parsley and coriander (or mint), with finely chopped cucumber and tomato. Big slash of EVOO and some lemon or lime juice.

Peppers mushroom bacon bits and chorizo grilled in olive oil, mix it all in.

Lemon zest & juice and some coriander or parsley.

Pomegranate and parsley! The pomegranate is great to mix up the texture of the cous cous a bit and add some crunch. Pistachios are good too.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/herby-couscous-citrus-pomegranate-dressing

There used to be a recipe that called pomegranate and cous cous 'jewels in the sand', I always liked the description!

Add lemon juice, chopped rosemary and a little soy. Then add a tin of tuna and a tin of sweetcorn.

Pour water over couscous as usual
In a small frying pan gently fry some finely chopped onion in olive oil. You can also add some vegetables like finely chopped carrots\courgette. When softened add some tomato mark and fry off for a few minutes. Season with salt, pepper and a little chilli if you like. Add the tomato and veg mixture to the couscous and mix together.

Leave for about 15 mins and the couscous will take on the tomato colour and flavour. Check the seasoning and also add some lemon juice. Lastly when cold add lots of freshly chopped herbs. I usually add plenty of chives but mint is also good. Spring onion is also good if you have it.This keeps for a couple of days in the fridge and is also good to use inside stuffed peppers.
Try using wholemeal couscous.

Put at least twice as much salt as you think.

Add pomegranate seeds and chopped coriander.

Fry chicken, onion and garlic with 1tsp harissa, 2tbsp of cumin and ground coriander. Add 500ml chicken stock, a tin of drained chickpeas, chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper then cook on a medium heat (with lid on) for 30 mins. Take off heat and stir through 250g of cous cous. Leave for 15 mins and then it’s ready to eat.

Lots of very tasty-sounding ideas here! Thank you all

I always make my cous-cous up with stock, chicken preferably, but vegetable also works well.

I mix in various flavour combinations, favourites are
Tomato, green peppers and black olives
Chopped soft apricots, chopped walnuts, diced cucumber,Moroccan spices
Finely chopped celery, finely diced eating apple, black grapes, pine nuts
Chopped soft figs, grated carrot, pomegranate dressing
Chopped avocado, black grapes, spring onions or chives

Dress generously with vinaigrette dressing/lemon juice/olive oil, chopped fresh herbs, add chick peas for a more substantial salad.