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
- 1-1/2 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.
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Joyti
July 6, 2011 at 11:49 PMCouscous is good. And its a lot quicker than rice!
The dish sounds delicious. And nice and light, great for summer.
karishma
July 7, 2011 at 1:55 AMBeautiful 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 😉
Maris (In Good Taste)
July 7, 2011 at 1:56 AMThis is a perfect summer or any season dish! Your photos really are great
sayantani
July 7, 2011 at 2:08 AMOh 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.
Sanjeeta kk
July 7, 2011 at 2:32 AMLovely, would love to have couscous and sweet pepper with my veggies.
thatssoron
July 7, 2011 at 4:35 AMawesome!
thatssoron
July 7, 2011 at 5:04 AMlove it!
Kitchen Belleicious
July 7, 2011 at 5:30 AMI 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
Vimitha
July 7, 2011 at 5:41 AMThat plate looks so colorful and yummy… Delicious combo…
Kelly
July 7, 2011 at 6:20 AMYour couscous looks great – a nice light, airy contrast to the sausage and I love the sweet peppers – so lively and colourful!
Tes
July 7, 2011 at 6:25 AMBeautiful plate 🙂 It looks divine! I just love the sight of fluffy couscous 🙂
Krithi
July 7, 2011 at 6:43 AMLovely pictures… am a great fan of couscous..
http://krithiskitchen.blogspot.com
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sukanya
July 7, 2011 at 7:48 AMI 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
Miriam
July 7, 2011 at 7:50 AMlike 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…:)
Geni
July 7, 2011 at 8:05 AMHow beautiful and delicious! I would love some couscous right now with your lovely peppers!
Jenny at Baking Devils
July 7, 2011 at 8:59 AMI never make couscous! This looks so delicious I feel like making it right now! Lovely plate of food!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
July 7, 2011 at 9:38 AMI 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!
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July 7, 2011 at 10:50 AMWhat a delicious meal!! I love that you paired the couscous with sausage…yummy!
torviewtoronto
July 7, 2011 at 12:34 PMwonderfully done flavourful dish
Torviewtoronto and Createwithmom
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
July 7, 2011 at 12:45 PMMmm I love couscous! Looks delicious =D
Joanne
July 7, 2011 at 1:01 PMMmm I love couscous and sausage and peppers is really a classic combo! Great meal!
nisha
July 7, 2011 at 1:05 PMcous cous is totally a fav of ours as well..and sausages..now who can say no to that 🙂
gopika
July 7, 2011 at 1:47 PMnever tried couscous.. it looks inviting 🙂 I think i should 🙂
Malli
July 7, 2011 at 2:39 PMIncredibly good sausage and peppers dish…. love your recipe:)
Tiffany
July 7, 2011 at 3:48 PMI’d love to make this with veggie sausage! 😀
Liz
July 7, 2011 at 5:51 PMWhat a gorgeous meal! The peppers and sausage pair perfectly with your couscous….mmmmmm
Sandra's Easy Cooking
July 7, 2011 at 8:18 PMYou always amaze me..this looks and sounds like a meal that I would enjoy very much! Just perfection all the way!! I love it!!!
Aldy
July 7, 2011 at 8:39 PMI love couscous!It cooks so fast, and it is so versatile. Loving this combination with the Italian sausage. Beautiful recipe and cute shots, Kankana 🙂
Hugs,
Aldy.
Treat and Trick
July 7, 2011 at 10:55 PMNever tried couscous but yours tempting me to try them….
Rosa
July 8, 2011 at 4:16 AMA marvelous combo! That summery dish is perfect. Yummy.
Cheers,
Rosa
sonia
July 8, 2011 at 7:50 AMHi kankana, This is looking absolutely delightful. A very well made post with beautiful pictures as always. Loved the new combo of ingredients and the recipe is so nicely made and presented. Its always fun to see ur appetizing recipes. Saving this recipe of urs and wud love to give ur version a try on the coming weekend. Have a wonderful week ahead….Thanks & Regards, Sonia !!!
Nazneen
July 8, 2011 at 7:50 AMMy husband I love couscous, especially Moroccan style with fruit and nuts and some preserved lemon. Unfortunately, for some reason my children are not big fans so I rarely make it.
Love your recipe and pictures.
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July 8, 2011 at 2:14 PMI have never tried making couscous at home..only eat it at buffets 🙂 The peppers look so pretty..love the picture on black background.This is a perfect meal for summer evenings- light & hearty!
Shawn
July 8, 2011 at 2:17 PMI love couscous and Italian sausage but never thought to put them together. Now, I will…you dish looks absolutely delicious!
You have such a lovely blog! Many thanks for kind comments on my blog 🙂
Manu
July 8, 2011 at 5:22 PMWow! This looks good!!! I love couscous and I sometimes cook it from scratch… one of the most famous dishes from my mom’s town in Sicily is fish couscous and we do steam it in a “double” pan, only our is made of terracotta. I love couscous, it tastes great doesn’t it?? Great pictures as always!
Amelia
July 8, 2011 at 7:47 PMHi Kankana, Thanks for visiting my blog.
Perfect picture and delicious looking dish. Yummy….
Manju
July 8, 2011 at 9:42 PMmoi here is a big fan of couscous!!! this combo looks soo great!
Natasha
July 9, 2011 at 4:34 AMHi Kankana! I’m visiting via Fresh Food Friday. I’m so glad I stopped by your blog as I am always looking for new and delicious recipes. Thanks so much for sharing your cous cous recipe! I can’t wait to try it! Your photos are stunning too…what a great post!
Best wishes and happy weekend,
Natasha.
Sarah
July 9, 2011 at 5:31 AMoh my! wonderful combinations! and such mouth-watering pics!
Kimberley
July 9, 2011 at 11:58 AMYum! This looks simple and classic.
tasteofbeirut
July 9, 2011 at 6:58 PMI just love how you made this couscous~ normally when I am thinking about making couscous, I envision the traditional couscous stew, which is very time-consuming to make and end up shelving the idea; here it is just as flavorful, but a lot faster~ Great job!!
Annapet
July 9, 2011 at 7:11 PMIt’s so good to “meet” you, Kankana! I am just across the pond from you ;-)! What a beautiful blog you have, and I can just easily spend a lot of time looking at your beautiful photos!
Your post just brightened up the room when I opened my laptop!
Katsukhan
July 10, 2011 at 10:27 AMI have been wanting to try cooking couscous for a while. Reading this seals the deal and I will be cooking soon. Serving with italian sausage sounds like a great mix.
Kim - Liv Life
July 11, 2011 at 8:42 AMInteresting, no couscous in India? Funny, I would have though that it would be there!
LOVE this dish! My husband sort of laughs at couscous, but he cleans his plate every time I cook with it, and if I added Italian Sausage he would be immensely happy!
Kankana Saxena
July 11, 2011 at 8:30 PMI heard it’s now available in certain super markets 🙂
Anita Menon
July 15, 2011 at 12:52 PMLove couscous. Its such an integral part of the food here in the Bahrain-thats where I live now.Love the way you paired it with the sausages.
Yadi @ShopCookMake
July 15, 2011 at 7:28 PMI have some Italian Sausage in the freezer. Gonna give this recipe a try!