Couscous is a delicious option but cooking it can often go wrong. If you’re ending up with watery couscous, or with it overcooked and dry, check out these tips on how to make sure your results are soft, fluffy, and tasty every time.
Season Well
It can be a good idea to season the dry couscous before you start cooking it. Try a powdered stock, such as bouillon, to lend delicious savory notes to your finished couscous. Start with only a little, because over-salting the couscous can ruin it and make it inedible.
Don’t Over Boil
Whilst you do want to make sure that the couscous boils in the pan, don’t overcook it as this can lead to dry, hard couscous with no flavor. An optimal cooking time is between four and six minutes, any longer and your couscous is liable to overcook.
Fluff With a Fork
Perhaps the most important step is the last one in the cooking process. Once you’ve removed the pan from the heat, don’t forget to fluff the couscous with a fork. Doing so ensures a light, soft texture with no clumps. This is also a good opportunity to add a little oil or butter, which will help to improve the texture and flavor.
