Couscous is a delicious dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. Though it may have started as a North African dish, it's now enjoyed worldwide. Interested in learning more?. Read on as we discuss how couscous is made, what makes it vegetarian and how to begin using it in your plant-based recipes.
Where Does Couscous Come From?
This starchy carbohydrate first originated as early as the 12th century, where it began as a mixture of barley and acorn flour. Later, in the 13th-century, couscous became a staple food for the North African regions, and durum wheat became the predominant grain. Couscous's roots are in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, and it’s one of the most popular Middle Eastern menu items.
What Is Couscous?
Couscous is most often thought of as a rice-based dish. However, it's a type of pasta. The small round balls of dough have earned it the name "baby pasta" and are made from semolina flour—coarsely ground durum wheat mixed with water. Though there are several different types of couscous, nearly all authentic varieties are made with semolina. Traditionally, couscous was made by hand, in which the pasta dough was hand-rolled to create tiny beads of pasta that were combined with boiling water to cook. However, as couscous has grown in popularity, new machine processes have been invented to roll the couscous for faster production.
What Does Couscous Taste Like?
Derived from durum wheat, couscous has a naturally nutty flavor with just a hint of sweetness. The intensity of the taste varies depending on which type of couscous is purchased. However, it's generally subtle and can easily be mixed with sweet and savory ingredients.
The texture of couscous can also change depending on its size and the cooking method used. Most cooked couscous has a light and fluffy texture that produces a soft and chewy bite. While enjoying a bowl of plain couscous may be a bit bland, not many ingredients are needed to turn this dish into one that's bursting with flavor.
Types of Couscous
We mentioned earlier that nearly all couscous is made from semolina flour. Yet, that doesn't mean that all couscous is the same. There are several different types of couscous available, three of the most common being: Moroccan couscous, Israeli couscous and Lebanese couscous. Here's a quick overview of each.
Moroccan Couscous
Moroccan couscous is the smallest type of couscous. The pasta beads of Moroccan couscous are about the size of semolina. Their small size makes it easy to cook this dish in just minutes.
Israeli Couscous, aka Pearl Couscous
Israeli couscous is bigger than Moroccan couscous and looks like tiny pieces of pasta. It has a soft, chewy texture and takes about 10 minutes to cook.
Lebanese Couscous, aka Moghrabieh Couscous
Lebanese couscous is the largest of the three and is made by forming semolina into pea-sized balls. Because it's larger than Moroccan and Israeli couscous, it takes the longest to cook.
Is Couscous Vegetarian?
Because the only ingredient in couscous, durum wheat, is plant based, it's an excellent vegan and vegetarian food option. That being said, not all couscous dishes in restaurants are vegetarian friendly. So if you're eating out and unsure whether a dish meets your dietary needs, we recommend asking to make sure it's an entirely plant-based option.
How to Store Couscous
Now that you know how to cook and prepare couscous, it's essential to review the basics of storing it. When uncooked, couscous should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry location. Any exposure to heat or humidity can cause the couscous to go bad. To tell if your couscous has gone bad, try smelling it. Rancid couscous will have a strong, foul smell that can be detected when dry or cooked.
Unlike dry couscous, cooked couscous should always be kept in the refrigerator. After cooking, be sure to allow your couscous to cool thoroughly before storing it. Once it's cooled, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Vegetarian Couscous Recipes
Ready to whip up a vegetarian masterpiece with your bag of couscous? We have you covered. Choose a couscous recipe from below to create a plant based dish that everyone can enjoy.
Fresh Cherry Pepita Golden Couscous Salad
Create a batch of Fresh Cherry Pepita Golden Couscous Salad for a refreshingly good bowl of couscous. Simple to make, this vegetable couscous salad uses just five ingredients to create a meal that's bursting with flavor. Golden couscous, fresh cherries, chopped parsley, goat cheese crumbles and organic pumpkin seeds are combined to create a uniquely flavored couscous with a delicious texture. The dressing is just as simple and delicious with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. To turn this vegetarian recipe into a vegan one, swap out the goat cheese for a nut-based cheese like this Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese, or sprinkle in a bit of nutritional yeast.
Cold Sesame Pearl Couscous
Ditch the white rice this week and spice up your vegetarian dinner menu with this Cold Sesame Pearl Couscous. An array of flavorings like soy sauce, white vinegar, peanut butter, black sesame oil and Sriracha chili sauce are combined with our Traditional Pearl Couscous to create the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Top it off with chopped green onions, carrots and cilantro for a genuinely mouthwatering treat.
Couscous Salad in Radicchio Bowls with Champagne Orange Vinaigrette
If you think the name of this dish sounds luxurious, just wait until you taste it. To create this Couscous Salad in Radicchio Bowls with Champagne Orange Vinaigrette, our Traditional Pearl Couscous is combined with cucumber, parsley, oranges, avocados and radicchio for an array of incredible flavors and textures. When topped with a homemade dressing made from orange juice and champagne vinaigrette, this vegan couscous salad is irresistible.
Pearl Couscous with Pesto and Vegetables
Put a unique spin on a classic dish by combining your next plate of couscous with freshly made pesto and warm vegetables. The perfect way to impress dinner guests, this Pearl Couscous with Pesto and Vegetables is simple to make and overflowing with fresh flavors like garlic, fresh herbs, walnut, zucchini and cherry tomatoes. And when made with a quick-cooking couscous like our Traditional Pearl Couscous, the entire recipe can be made in just ten minutes.
Vegetarian Ingredients to Add to Couscous
The great thing about couscous is that it can be combined with just about anything and taste great. That being said, we do have a few favorite vegetarian ingredients that we love combining with our couscous dishes. From tofu to nutritional yeast, this list of plant-based options is bound to spark your kitchen creativity.
Tofu
Tofu is an essential ingredient in vegetarian kitchens. As a source of plant based protein, tofu can replicate the texture of certain meats and make an excellent addition to couscous. There are several types of tofu to choose from, and while they all taste great, we recommend using extra firm tofu if you plan on baking or frying the ingredients in your couscous dish.
Nuts
A simple and delicious way to change up the texture of your dish, adding nuts like almonds and cashews to your bowl of couscous can take the flavor and nutritional profile up a notch. Add chopped nuts to a plate of already cooked couscous, or use ground nuts to create a creamy sauce.
Dried Fruit
We know that vegetables and couscous are an excellent pairing, but we'd argue that adding dried fruits to your couscous is just as delicious. Dried fruits like apricots, dates and raisins can add a unique flavor and texture to this grain-based dish that will leave everyone at the dinner table in awe.
Vegetable Broth
Though we don't recommend adding vegetable broth to cooked couscous, we recommend using it as the liquid to cook your couscous in. Cooking couscous in vegetable broth instead of water is an easy way to infuse this pasta dish with flavors from the start, making each bite a delicious one.
Nutritional Yeast
If you're looking to create a cheesy dish sans dairy, add nutritional yeast to your list of couscous ingredients. Nutritional yeast adds a pleasantly cheesy flavor to whatever you combine it with, and can be used as a coating, topping, or sauce.
Recreate one of the recipes above or grain inspiration from our list of vegetarian couscous ingredients to ensure that your next plate of couscous is an absolute success. We can't wait to see what you come up with. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a fun and flavorful day!
