I heard about couscous for the first time in 'Top Chef', one of my favorite cooking show. There was this chef (I am horrible at remembering names) and she would cook couscous in every other challenge. It always looked delicious and I used to wonder about the taste and texture.
I didn't had any luck finding couscous in India. As soon as I saw it in the shops out here, I knew I had to give it a try.
The texture looks grainy and it tastes like a combination of pasta and semolina. It can taste very dry unless paired with something more moist like a stew or meat. It's commonly eaten in North Africa and is one of the healthiest grain-based products.
When properly cooked, couscous is fluffy and light and not mushy. The traditional method of cooking couscous involves using a metal steamer : the base is tall metal pot-shaped, rather like an oil jar in which the meat and vegetables are cooked as a stew. On top of the base, a steamer is present, where the couscous is cooked, absorbing the flavors from the stew.
The couscous that is sold in supermarkets is pre-steamed and dried. Hence, it takes a max of 5 mins to cook. It's quick, easy and came out perfect on my very first attempt! You cannot really go wrong in making nice fluffy couscous if you just follow correct steps. I like to toss it with some vegetables, some dry fruits and make a nice salad. The best thing I liked about couscous is that it tastes good warm or cold.. not chill cold!
Today, I served it with italian sausage mixed with some sweet peppers. It was a meal by itself.. but light! These sweet peppers not only look pretty but also taste sweet.
I didn't want to add extra spice and lose the taste of the sausage or that sweet pepper.. hence, used minimal spice. Just a little bit of rosemary and garlic. I added a little bit of chilly flakes and that's just because I like a little heat in my savory dish.
Couscous with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1-½ cup chicken stock
- 5 italian sausages (cut in bite size)
- 4 shallots (finely chopped (I used shallots as they are very mild. You can use onions as well))
- 10 to 12 sweet peppers (cut in bite size)
- 1 tbs chilly flakes
- 2 tbs rosemary (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (grated)
- salt
- pepper
- oil
Instructions
- Heat 3 tbs oil in a deep pan.
- Add garlic and shallots and saute for about couple of minutes.
- Add the sausages and cook for another few minutes. You should be careful as they might splatter.
- Season with salt, pepper and add chopped rosemary.
- Then, add the sweet peppers and saute for a while.
- Finally, add the chilly flakes and cook for another 2 minutes. Once done, keep it aside.
- In a deep pan, add the chicken stock and bring it to boil.
- Add couscous, mix it properly and switch off the heat.
- Season with some salt and pepper and cover the pan for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, use a fork and fluff the couscous carefully.
- Serve the couscous with the sausage.
Nutrition
Sharing this dish with Fresh Food Friday
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
Mmm I love couscous! Looks delicious =D
torviewtoronto
wonderfully done flavourful dish
Torviewtoronto and Createwithmom
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What a delicious meal!! I love that you paired the couscous with sausage...yummy!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
I haven't yet tried to make couscous at home - I've heard it's faster to cook. I had eaten it before at parties and restaurant.... I should give it a try! The Italian sausage and bell pepper combination looks lovely. I love the pictures Kankana! Beautiful post!
Jenny at Baking Devils
I never make couscous! This looks so delicious I feel like making it right now! Lovely plate of food!
Geni
How beautiful and delicious! I would love some couscous right now with your lovely peppers!
Miriam
like you said, i have never found couscous in bangalore/india...:(... we used to have it when we were in bahrain....loved it with meat...this combo here with sausages look really nice...n' the colorful peppers look so cute...:)
sukanya
I was little sceptical about couscous, after seeing this i think will try it soon, it looks so yummy and colorful, which looks so appetising.
love reading ur weekend getaway, we went to boston this week, u can check the pics @ my space
Krithi
Lovely pictures... am a great fan of couscous..
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Tes
Beautiful plate 🙂 It looks divine! I just love the sight of fluffy couscous 🙂
Kelly
Your couscous looks great - a nice light, airy contrast to the sausage and I love the sweet peppers - so lively and colourful!
Vimitha
That plate looks so colorful and yummy... Delicious combo...
Kitchen Belleicious
I love your take on the classic chicago dish sausage and peppers. I have done this similar thing with orzo before but couscous sound even better! Much lighter and better for you.I love your version
thatssoron
love it!
thatssoron
awesome!
Sanjeeta kk
Lovely, would love to have couscous and sweet pepper with my veggies.
sayantani
Oh I love couscous. thats an awesome recipe...looks so so good. gonna make it right away.between, you just reminded me that my stock is almost over and have to get some more from Bangalore.
Maris (In Good Taste)
This is a perfect summer or any season dish! Your photos really are great
karishma
Beautiful beautiful beautiful............mouthwatering pics, Kankana...love the simplicity of the sausage recipe too, it can be adapted for other things as well. I found couscous in Hypercity in Hyderabad, so it must be available now in other parts of India as well. Bought the instant pack but havent cooked it yet, so now I know what to do 😉
Joyti
Couscous is good. And its a lot quicker than rice!
The dish sounds delicious. And nice and light, great for summer.