Description
A starchy side dish in almost no time - instant couscous, butter and salt, steeped in boiling water and fluffed with a fork.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups instant couscous
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt)
- 2 cups boiling water
Optional
- ¼ cup raisins or currants
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley
Instructions
- Combine: Combine the couscous, butter and salt in a medium bowl.
- Add the boiling water: Pour the boiling water into the bowl, stir, and cover (I use a dinner plate). Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Fluff and serve: Fluff the couscous with a fork, and serve.
Notes
Variations: Replace the butter with olive oil. Replace the boiling water with boiling chicken stock for extra flavor. Add 1/4 cup raisins or currants before adding the boiling water. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top as a garnish.
An electric kettle makes this even faster. It's done in about 15 minutes end to end, and you don't need a pot on the stove.
Couscous is a plain counterpoint to flavorful dishes - think of it like mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice. Serve it with anything that has a sauce or juices for it to absorb: a tagine or other stew, lentils, or grilled food like shish kebab.
I prefer whole wheat couscous, which I buy in the bulk section of my local health food store.
Couscous is actually a pasta, even though it looks like a grain.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes