Can you help me like couscous?

[WiseOwlKnits]

We just discovered couscous. My kids LOVE it. DH and I aren't so fond of it, but I think it's at least partially because of how I make it - it's very bland. The only thing I put in is couscous and chicken broth. I have no idea what would be good to add to it to make it taste more interesting.

 

If you have a recipe you love that makes it have more flavor, can you share? My kids would really appreciate it!

[OnTheBrink]

I like it with just butter and salt, but you can add any herbs you'd like. Maybe try a few of those couscous mixes that have flavorings added and see if you can find some you like.

[JeneralMom]

onions

garlic

mint

nuts

dried fruit (cranberries)

 

change liquids - use juice or another kind of broth

[Janie Grace]

Diced sun-dried tomatoes! Yum.

[justamouse]

sun dried tomatoes, feta, goat cheese, pine nuts, fresh parsley, walnuts and raisins (-not all at once:D) sauteed onions, carrots, peas, capers and olives

 

 

yummo. Now I want it.

[Angel]

Three of us like it with sugar and dried fruit and/or raisins. Yum! I also like it savory but I don't remember how dh makes that one.

[Mrs Mungo]

I make it like tabbouleh, with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, lemon juice, cucumbers, scallions, mint or parsley (depending upon what I'm serving it with) and tomatoes.

[abbeyej]

It's just pasta. Maybe that will help you think about what you want to use it for?

[LAmom]

My family likes it with chicken, broccoli, tomatoes and feta and some olive oil as a one dish, easy dinner. Definitely with the feta!

[leeannpal]

I like Couscous with curry powder.

[Lady Florida.]

We like it as sort of pasta salad. Drizzle it with olive oil. Add halved cherry or grape tomatoes, diced cucumbers (or quartered if you want larger pieces), coarse salt and pepper, and fresh basil. Toss in some sliced black olives if you like. Yum!

[sparrow]

I make it like tabbouleh, with olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, lemon juice, cucumbers, scallions, mint or parsley (depending upon what I'm serving it with) and tomatoes.

 

Yes! Like this!

 

In a pinch, I just put Red Hot cayenne pepper sauce on it.

[nmoira]

I've never much liked couscous, but I *really* like this old Betty Crocker couscous sausage soup recipe.

 

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño chilies

 

 

1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño chilies

 

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

 

2 cloves garlic, crushed

 

1 pound fully cooked smoked sausage, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices

 

2 1/2 cups water

 

1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed chicken broth

 

(I use 4 cups chicken stock for the above two ingredients)

 

1/2 cup uncooked quick-cooking couscous

(I use regular couscous, is there another kind?)

 

2 tablespoons chopped fresh or 2 teaspoons dried mint leaves

 

1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped (about 3/4 cup) (about 1 medium)

 

Cook chilies, cumin, garlic and sausage in 3-quart nonstick saucepan over medium heat about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is brown; drain.

 

Stir in water and broth. Heat to boiling. Stir in couscous, mint and pepper; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in tomato. Serve with chopped fresh parsley, finely chopped garlic and lemon juice if desired.

 

[For nice, ripe summer tomatoes, I pour the soup over half a chopped tomato in each bowl.]

[Nature]

I like it with chutney.

[Annie]

Parmesan cheese. Near about everything is better with parmesan cheese. :)

[ladydusk]

Feta, green onion, salt and pepper.

 

My husband and I like Israeli couscous better, with the same types of additions others have recommended.

[Pretty in Pink]

I cook it in chicken broth, then make dressing to go on it:

 

olive oil

lemon juice

water

 

basic measurements, I use a Good Seasonings cruet for this step. Then add:

 

2 cloves crushed garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp dill weed

 

Toss w/ couscous, a pint of cherry tomatoes (halved), and one seeded, diced cucumber.

 

Play with the recipe -- add chicken, olives, different herbs, etc.

[*Inna*]

We cook it in chicken broth instead of water. Or make tabbouleh. Yum!

[Prairie~Phlox]

We really like this: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mayan-Couscous/Detail.aspx

[Slartibartfast]

I love tabbouleh so much it is the only thing I do with couscous

[kalanamak]

I LOVE this:

 

http://www.paula-wolfert.com/recipes/tun_cous.html

 

She has a whole book on couscous. The library, perhaps?

[kalanamak]

I love tabbouleh so much it is the only thing I do with couscous

 

Okay, I'm lost. What does tabbouleh have in common with couscous? (Besides the Mediterranean)

[Spy Car]

The key to excellent couscous is getting a light texture. The key to getting a light texture is good prep combined with multiple steamings (never boiling!).

 

Dry couscous should be worked between the palms with a little oil. Then further worked between the palms as a little water is slowly worked in. More rubbing (to break up any lumps) more water. More rubbing. When the couscous is just right it is steamed uncovered.

 

Then it is rubbed all over again and water and oil is adjusted, it is rubbed more, and steamed a second time.

 

Repeat and steamed a third time. Now the couscous should be light and fluffy.

 

Serve with a nice stew.

 

Bill

Edited April 19, 2011 by Spy Car

[stripe]

Um, no. I am not a big fan of couscous but I only make it because it's ready fast. I am not going to steam it or massage it, nor spend all day making it. Sorry. I am sure it is much better that way, but no.

 

I have a recipe in a book (Miracle Foods for Kids, or something like that) that has roasted vegetables mixed with couscous and maybe grapes (?), anyway it looks yummy. I though tabouleh had bulgur in it, not couscous. But why not.

 

I ate some really fantastic vegetable tagine (=stew) in Paris at a Moroccan restaurant. A culinary highlight of my life.

[LostSurprise]

Chicken Satay with couscous....yum

 

http://www.cookingindex.com/recipes/17633/chicken-satay-style-with-couscous.htm

[Lara in Colo]

mandarine oranges,

currants (raisins)

onions,

chicken,

[Hedgehogs4]

I saute flounder fillets with olive oil, garlic, dill and lemon, and cook couscous in a separate pot. Then I cook couscous with garlic, salt, olive oil and chicken broth. I add the chicken and pan scrapings and lemon juice to the couscous with chopped steamed broccoli and mix it all together. It is my (picky) son's favorite meal.

[Donna]

:lol: I am so laughing at this thread because I made couscous once in my life and it is the one thing I ever made that no one in the family liked at all. I made it with garlic, onion, and some other spices...the recipes sounded like it should taste good but it was horrible.

 

Now whenever I make something that tastes bad, everyone always says, "Yeah, at least it isn't as bad as couscous!"

[Hwin]

garlic and parmesan!

I started out by cheating and making it from a box that had seasoning mix.

[SnowWhite]

I like mine moister than directed. I put 1:2 ratio of couscous to liquid rather than 2:3.

[nd293]

I roast veggies - sweet pepper, butternut pumpkin, aubergine - add feta, olives, baby spinach leaves and sometimes sundried tomatoes, and mix with the couscous. I add balsamic vinegar for flavour. I have this either cold or as-it-comes.