Basic Recipes for Vegetarian, Vegan Cooking: Couscous

Basic Couscous, 4 - 6 Servings

You'll need a 2 quart stainless steel pot with a tight fitting lid tfor this recipe.

Couscous is actually Middle Eastern Pasta, made from semolina flour. It's mindboggling to think of people making these tiny pellets, but of course these days it's all done by machine. The couscous which we commonly find in stores is instant couscous, add water and stir. That's what we're talking about here. Someday we'll find and cook and eat authentic couscous, but for now, let's go with what we've got.

Couscous is wonderful because it's so quick and easy to make, and like it's Italian counterpart, is a base for so many wonderful sauces and stews. Couscous in the hands of small children is a nightmare clean up problem, way worse than rice, which at least sticks to them. On the other hand, children will actually eat couscous!
Judy Kingsbury, Savvy Veg

Ingredients:

• 1 cup couscous
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 -2 Tbsp olive or vegetable oil

Helpful Hints:

• Couscous is available in whole wheat in some stores. If not, you may be able to find it online.
• Couscous will stay fresher in the fridge if you're not going to use it up quickly
• For a bit of fanciness, toast some pine nuts in the oil before you add the couscous, and throw in a handful of currants or raisins and a cinnamon stick with the boiling water
• Stir a few pinches of dried leaf herbs or fresh minced herbs with the couscous - basil & oregano, or thyme & marjoram, or rosemary

Directions

1. Heat oil in pan on med-low for 5 minutes, add couscous and salt
2. Stirring constantly, toast couscous until it is golden brown in color (3 minutes) Don't leave it unattended - it'll burn quickly
3. Pour in the boiling water and immediately cover with lid
4. Remove from heat, allow to sit for 5 - 10 minutes
5. Fluff gently with a fork and serve.

Things to Eat with With Couscous

• Fresh Veggie Medley (vegan)
• Tofu Burgers - Without The Bun, and some steamed veggies
• Butternut Squash Stew (vegan)
• Couscous, being dry, invites wet, so it goes with sauces, soups, stews of all sorts
• Children seem to prefer couscous unadulterated, like they do most foods

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