Company Couscous Recipes

BEST COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Put couscous, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add oil, and stir with fork to coat evenly.
• Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil; stir one-third into the couscous. Cover remaining water to keep it hot.
• Press couscous gently with the back of the fork. Cover with plastic wrap; let stand for 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining water in two additions.
• Break up any clumps with a fork or your fingers.

HAND-ROLLED COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Put the semolina in a large mixing bowl. Place 1/2 cup water in a sprayer and use it to moisten the semolina. Begin by spraying the surface, stirring the mixture with your hand, pressing down and moving the palm in a circular motion. It is better to have too little moisture than too much because you don't want to create a dough. Continue to spray and mix until water is evenly incorporated into the semolina; it should form tiny granules without clumping, and not all the water may be needed.
• At this point, depending on the texture of the mixture, you may want to sift it for uniformity and to remove any small clumps. To sift it, shake the moistened semolina through a strainer or colander with holes about 1/8 inch in diameter (better slightly larger than smaller) and into another bowl. After most of it has passed through, stir to continue to pass it through, then press to pass as much as possible. There may be a small amount of doughy mixture that won't go through the strainer - as much as 1/3 cup - and this may be discarded.
• Prepare a couscoussiere or steamer by adding four to five inches of water to the bottom, and bring it to a boil. Add the semolina and steam uncovered for 10 minutes, mixing about every 30 seconds to prevent clumping; after 10 minutes, the mixture won't clump any more. Cover, and continue to steam for another 30 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes.
• Transfer the couscous to a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and drizzle with oil. Stir gently with a fork. The couscous may be covered and refrigerated at this point for up to three days.
• To serve, bring 2 cups of water or broth to a boil, and set aside. Steam the couscous one more time, covered, over boiling water, for another 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add 1 to 2 cups of the liquid so it is moist but not wet. Fluff, and serve immediately, or if desired, pass once more through a large-holed sieve or colander. It may be cooled and refrigerated for up to three days; reheat by steaming.

COMPANY COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir couscous into boiling water and return water to a boil. Cover and remove pot from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• While the couscous is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic, green onions and peppers; saute briefly. Stir in tomatoes, basil, cooked couscous, salt and pepper. Mix together and transfer to a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Splash some balsamic vinegar on top.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese while still warm.