27+ Pearl Couscous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How much couscous do I need for 25 people? ›

Like most grains and well, certainly pasta, it's easy to cook way too much because let's face it, most of us never weigh it properly. You want to have around 60g of couscous per person.

Pearl couscous: You need 1 cup of uncooked pearl couscous, which will yield about 3 cups when cooked. Water: For a cup of uncooked couscous, you need 1 ½ cups water or other cooking liquid (such as broth).

Healthy Facts: Pearl couscous is a source of fiber. Fiber helps you feel fuller for longer, helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, aids digestion, and can help reduce constipation. Pearl couscous is low in sugar and is lower on the Glycemic Index.

How much does 1 cup dry Moroccan couscous yield? 1 cup of dry couscous will give you about 2 to 2 ½ cups of cooked couscous, which should generously feed 4 people (you should budget ⅓ cup to ½ cup per person).

You'll want to figure out how many people you need to serve and then you'll know how much couscous to make. I usually figure about 1/4 to 1/3 cup dry couscous per serving. For my family of 4, I use 1 to 1 1/2 cups dry couscous.

Use the correct amount of water or stock

With too much liquid, your couscous will go soggy. With not enough, it'll be hard. So, take the time to make all measurements accurately.

Pearl couscous cooking instructions

Begin by rinsing couscous in a colander with cold water, making sure to agitate the couscous with your hands to rinse it. Drain immediately. Add couscous and olive oil, reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until all liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally, bout 10 minutes.

The main difference between pearl couscous and Moroccan couscous is the size. The grains of Moroccan couscous are much smaller, compared to the pea-size granules in the pearl variety (made memorable by their namesake). This, of course, affects the preparation and cooking time of each grain.

The important trick with couscous is to avoid adding too much liquid, as you'll end up with a soggy lump of just about inedible mush. This couscous water ratio applies to most types of couscous, including Moroccan and Israeli varieties. And note that it doesn't have to be actual water.

Is couscous healthier than rice? ›

While couscous and white rice have almost the same amount of calories per 100 grams, couscous contains more protein and higher amounts of vitamins and minerals so can be considered a healthier option in those departments. Both grains can support weight loss when incoporated into a balanced, healthy diet.

Allow around 60g of dried couscous per person, which is combined with 90ml of boiled water (using the ratio of 1:1 1/2). Simply pour the hot water onto the couscous, cover and leave for 10 minutes while the couscous absorbs the water.

Compared to couscous, quinoa has stronger anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. With 7 percent fewer calories per 100 grams of cooked couscous than quinoa, it is healthier for weight loss. Every 100 grams of cooked quinoa has 120 calories. Every 100 grams of cooked couscous has 112 calories.

Couscous has a nutritional profile similar to white pasta, high in carbohydrates without other health benefits such as fiber or protein content. If you are looking to enjoy food with a higher carbohydrate content, there isn't much difference between choosing pasta or couscous.

The verdict. Quinoa, hands down. The similarities are deceptive… Quinoa is a complete protein, can be part of a gluten-free diet, has more nutrients and double the fibre of couscous. And, when cooked, it has a lower GI, so it should help to keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Allow around 60g of dried couscous per person, which is combined with 90ml of boiled water (using the ratio of 1:1 1/2). Simply pour the hot water onto the couscous, cover and leave for 10 minutes while the couscous absorbs the water.

If it is as a side to dishes such as this a stew or a lamb tagine for example, then I recommend about 90g (half a cup) of uncooked couscous per person. If however the grain is the star ingredient for example in a salad, then you might want to think more like 135g and (0.75 cups) per person.

There are 176 calories in a 1 cup, cooked (157.000g) serving size of Couscous, cooked. The calorie breakdown is 1% fat, 83% carbs, and 14% protein.

Once cooked, it will keep at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge for three days. If the couscous has been mixed with other ingredients they might shorten its fridge life. Cooked couscous can be reheated in the microwave if you want it hot, or use it cold straight from the fridge.