5 Easy Cous Cous Recipes You Must Try

Cous cous, the small granules of semolina traditionally used in North African cuisine, has become a beloved staple in kitchens around the globe due to its versatility and quick cooking time. Whether you're an experienced chef or a culinary novice, these easy cous cous recipes will give you plenty of inspiration for your next meal, bringing a touch of flavor and creativity to your dining table.

Cous Cous with Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables offer a fresh and vibrant addition to cous cous, making it a perfect dish for the warmer months. This recipe is not only delicious but also visually appealing.

• 1 cup cous cous
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 zucchini
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 eggplant
• 1 red onion
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Fresh herbs like parsley or basil

Steps:

1. Place cous cous in a bowl and pour over boiling water. Cover and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
2. Prepare your vegetables by slicing them into uniform pieces for even grilling.
3. Brush the vegetables with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until they have nice char marks.
4. Toss the grilled vegetables with the cous cous, adding balsamic vinegar for a sweet touch.
5. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.

🍃 Note: Ensure your grill is at medium heat to prevent burning the vegetables while still cooking them through.

Spicy Moroccan Cous Cous

If you’re in the mood for something with a little heat and complexity, Moroccan-style cous cous with spices is the way to go.

• 1 cup cous cous
• 1 cup vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon each of cumin, coriander, and paprika
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 small diced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ¹⁄₂ cup dried apricots, chopped

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan, add onion and garlic, cook until translucent.
2. Add spices, cook for another minute to release their aromas.
3. Add the stock, bring to a boil, then stir in the cous cous. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in chickpeas and apricots, fluff with a fork.

🌶️ Note: Adjust the level of cayenne to your spice tolerance for a personalized touch.

Mediterranean Cous Cous Salad

This cold salad is perfect for picnics or as a side for your barbecue. It’s light yet packed with flavors from the Mediterranean.

• 1 cup cous cous
• 1 cup boiling water
• ¹⁄₄ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• ¹⁄₂ cucumber, diced
• ¹⁄₄ cup olives, sliced
• ¹⁄₄ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ¹⁄₄ cup fresh dill or parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced

Steps:

1. Prepare cous cous with boiling water, let it sit covered until fluffy.
2. Add the cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta to the cous cous.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, toss to combine.
4. Top with fresh herbs.

Cous Cous Stuffed Bell Peppers

Looking for a show-stopping dish? Cous cous stuffed peppers not only look great but are also nutritious and delicious.

• 1 cup cous cous
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 4 large bell peppers, tops removed and seeded
• ¹⁄₂ pound ground beef or lamb
• 1 small diced onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¹⁄₄ cup feta cheese, optional
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Steps:

1. Cook cous cous with vegetable stock.
2. In a separate pan, cook the ground meat with onion, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir the cooked cous cous into the meat mixture, add tomato paste for color and flavor.
4. Stuff the bell peppers with the cous cous mixture, top with feta if using.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes or until peppers are tender.

Lemon and Herb Cous Cous with Shrimp

This dish is a delightful combination of light, lemony flavors with the savory taste of shrimp, making it an excellent choice for seafood lovers.

• 1 cup cous cous
• 1 cup seafood stock or water
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• Fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Steps:

1. Cook cous cous with the stock or water.
2. In a separate pan, melt butter, add garlic and sauté shrimp until pink.
3. Stir in lemon zest, juice, and cous cous.
4. Garnish with fresh herbs.

In exploring the world of cous cous, you've unlocked a versatile ingredient that can adapt to various cuisines and flavors. Whether you're seeking a simple side dish or an elaborate meal, these recipes showcase the beauty of cous cous in its ability to absorb flavors, enhance textures, and provide a satisfying base for a multitude of ingredients. With these easy-to-follow recipes, your next meal can be a delightful culinary journey.

What is cous cous?

+

Cous cous is a type of North African semolina, which consists of tiny granules of durum wheat. When cooked, it has a light and fluffy texture, making it an excellent base for various dishes.

Can I make these recipes gluten-free?

+

Absolutely, you can substitute cous cous with quinoa or gluten-free cous cous alternatives to make these recipes gluten-free.

How long can I store cous cous?

+

Cooked cous cous can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure it’s kept in an airtight container to retain its moisture and freshness.