Good mix-ins for cous-cous?
I like cous-cous, but am always at a loss as to what to mix into it to make it more exciting. Usually some grated cheese and olive oil go in and maybe some chopped black olives, but after that i don't know what to add.
suggestions?
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23 Comments:
I made it last night with toasted pine nuts and dried cranberries - cooked the couscous in chicken broth.
Maureen at 12:41PM on 12/31/08
You can experiment with just about anything. I like toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds, sauteed chopped mushrooms, peas, fresh chopped herbs, etc. I once saw Nigella mix in golden raisins and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
savecara at 12:51PM on 12/31/08
toasted pine nuts
dried fruit of any kind
sauteed onions and mushrooms
roasted red peppers and grilled zucchini
sauteed spinach (really any vegetable)
feta cheese
goat cheese
pieces of cooked meat or fish
chickpeas
NYCEater at 12:55PM on 12/31/08
You could try (not necessarily TOGETHER, but):
• cilantro/parsley
• corn
• spinach
• sprouts
• tofu
• roasted peppers
• pearl onions
• other grains (ie: barley, quinoa or rice)
• green onions
• salsas (ie: fruit salsas, tomato salsa)
• pulled pork or chicken
• roasted/sundried tomatoes
• preserved lemon
• shrimp
• grilled zuccini
• chickpeas
• curry/saffron
• beans (black, garbanzo, kidney)
That should get the idea-gears rolling. Endless, endless posibilities redhead ENDLESS!
hungrychristel at 12:57PM on 12/31/08
I like it cold with chopped red onion, grape tomatoes, feta cheese, parsley, cukes & chopped Kalamata olives. Then I drizzle with greek yogurt mixed with lemon juice & chopped garlic.
juliebugsmama at 1:12PM on 12/31/08
I tend to use it more as a salad - so it's green onion, diced tomato and cucumber. But the first two would work well for a hot side dish. And of course some cumin and a little olive oil.
lemons at 1:15PM on 12/31/08
How about some toasted pecans and cranberries or chopped cooked mushrooms? Lentils? I like the pine nut suggestion above too.
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 1:33PM on 12/31/08
I like to make fish packets, or en papiotte. Saute up whatever veg you have, i.e. onions, peppers, celery, spinach, carrots.. anything. Season your fish. (Make one big packet or any number of small ones.) Use 1 cup of cous-cous, rinse it, drain it, set aside. Measure out 1 cup of liquid of your choice (note the only thing is measure is liquid to cous-cous, equal parts of each. Surround the fish with cous-cous, top with veg, pour the liquid over the cous-cous and before it can all leak out wrap up, fold, staple but dont' mutilate packages. bake at 350. about 15 min for individual packets about 25 for one big packet or until fish is done.
nightmoon at 1:36PM on 12/31/08
i like it with chives, parsley, and lots of mixed citrus zest...nuts would be good in it, if you like that sort of thing
Cary at 1:47PM on 12/31/08
My favorite way, though not the healthiest, is cooked with chopped sundried tomatoes and a bit of sauteed onion and garlic, then tossed sliced hot Italian sausage (about 1/3 inch thick) and a bit of balsamic vinegar.
Hmmm, I haven't made this for a while. I think I've just come upon tomorrow's dinner. :-)
chisai at 2:10PM on 12/31/08
sheesh... where do you stop? I like pine nuts and currants.... but I'd stay away from the miracle berries.... just sayin....
Pavlov at 2:10PM on 12/31/08
I like roasted veg in mine
annabanannas at 2:15PM on 12/31/08
@pavlov - I believe the miracle berries pair well with pine nuts...but might taste slightly bitter with pepper...I heard this somewhere
hungrychristel at 2:21PM on 12/31/08
I like to mix leftover couscous with sauteed chopped onions and carrots, sliced almonds or pine nuts, sultanas, chickpeas, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and a dash of olive oil. I prefer it without meat but I have added cooked minced lamb to it. You can serve the couscous hot or cold. My favorite way to serve this dish is to stuff it into a variety of bell peppers and bake it until the peppers are done.
Esmeralda at 2:45PM on 12/31/08
I love couscous served at one of our cafeterias at work. Off the top of my head, I've eaten it mixed with:
- blueberries
- strawberries
- craisins
- raspberries
- kiwis and mandarin oranges
- artichokes and grape tomatoes
- balsamic vinegar and grape tomatoes
- marinated baby portobello mushrooms and pine nuts
- artichokes, green and kalamata olives
- mint, lemon juice, parsley, minced onions
Cassaendra at 6:05PM on 12/31/08
You may want to check out this thread for more couscous ideas.
brooke29 at 6:14PM on 12/31/08
man, what isn't a good mixer with couscous?
stuff i like:
apples and cinnamon(i usually add some sugar too)
pecans
blackberries
really fruit or nuts of any variety goes pretty well with couscous. Just remember that with the "wetter" fruits, you'll have to adjust cooking time, as they fruit will add liquid.
rasellers0 at 6:56PM on 12/31/08
Salmon or lamb (if making for a crowd), for myself a lemon chicken.
Toasted Pistachios
Mint and/or cilantro
Medley of veggies such as cucs, zucs, red onions, bok choy, celery, carrots, artichokes, olives, hicama, brocolli.
I usually make a simple light lemony sauce to put on it.
pjracz10 at 1:34AM on 01/01/09
awesome! thanks for all the suggestions! I've always got some kind of veggies & onions in the fridge that can be sauteed up, and we usually have some kind of dried fruits and nuts.
now i've got a ton of ideas for lunch next week (and maybe even a few my husband will eat)! you guys rock!! i love my fellow serious eaters!
redhead at 2:11PM on 01/01/09
I can't believe I'm comment #20 and the first to mention bacon!
czken at 4:37PM on 01/01/09
We LOOOOVE couscous. My personal favorite is toasted pine nuts, goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes.
The kids like extra virgin olive oil, toasted garlic and parmesan with a little chopped, flat leaf parsley. Or butter with lots of chopped, flat leaf parsley and lemon juice. That one works really well with orzo too.
Of course, the addition of s/p is always a given, right?
.
There really is nothing that you can't do.
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 12:07AM on 01/02/09
I like olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes and chiffonade of basil. Also chopped dried apricots and cinnamon. Or parsley, tomatoes and cucumber with a squeeze of lemon (cold). Or kalamata olives and feta. Or whatever I have laying around that looks yummy.
buffy at 12:47AM on 01/02/09
Danny Boom(sp?) uses roasted vegetable chunks (sweet peppers, squash, asparagus, sugar snap peas, fennel, etc.) and then puts a bit of vinaigrette on and voila!
#2My friend uses golden raisins, chopped dried apricots or other dried fruit (craisins?) but I'm not remembering the dressing.
jackiejackiejackie at 6:06PM on 01/05/09