Pearl Couscous for Dinner

Couscous for dinner

Couscous is an interesting form of fast food! Originating in the northern area of Africa, couscous is basically a pelleted form of pasta. It is really easy to prepare in its basic form: just add water! Water can be added to couscous by placing it into a steamer or, like I prefer to do, just by covering it with boiling water. Ten minutes later it is ready to fluff with a fork and serve.

Lots of things can be added to the basic recipe like vegetables, herbs, and even precooked meat. We like it as a side dish similar to a salad but served at room temperature or slightly warm. It is also wonderful chilled as a cold salad. Here is how I made it as pictured above.

First I prepared a variety of fresh vegetables and garden herbs:

Fresh vegetables and herbs

The herbs I chose were mint, parsley and a type of chive that I grow. My intention was to make a sort of Greek style side dish similar to Tabbouleh. I chopped the vegetables and herbs into small pieces as needed and set them aside. I prepared a small amount of salt, pepper and granulated garlic to add when I mixed the vegetables into the couscous.

Set out some dried spices like salt and pepper

I added some frozen peas and carrots

Frozen peas and carrots

To the dry couscous

A closeup view of dry pearl couscous

And covered it with boiling water

Soak the couscous in boiling water

The couscous does not have to be cooked, only soaked for about 10-12 minutes in boiling water. In this case the boiling water not only rehydrated the couscous but also defrosted the frozen peas and carrot cubes.

Then I added the prepared fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices, a little olive oil, and lemon juice, and, last but not least, some feta cheese. Done and done! Really easy and fast!

Mix all together and serve

Most of the time couscous is drier than as pictured above. Actually it can be quite fluffy. I added the cheese, lemon juice and olive oil while the couscous was still quite warm, so it kind of melted into a creamy dressing. It was fantastic! By the way this is pearl couscous, the larger form of couscous. It also comes in a much finer form which is quite fluffy when prepared.

By the way, I don’t have an actual recipe for this dish. I just start out with a cup of couscous and a cup of boiling water and add stuff that sounds good.

Couscous is not only fast it is delicious! Eat it!