Couscous

- Also called: Maftoul
- Origin: North Africa
- Cornerstone of the cuisines of Morocco and Tunisia
- Typically served with vegetables or in a stew

Couscous is a traditional food throughout the Middle East and North Africa. There are two varieties. Traditional couscous is made by coating semolina wheat in flour, which results in very small grains. Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous or maftoul, is made by coating hard wheat in flour, and is significantly larger than its traditional cousin. In both forms, it fits well in recipes where one might use rice.
History

It is not clear where couscous originated. The first documentation of couscous is in The book of cooking in the Maghreb and Al Andalus, dating to the 1200s, and refers to couscous as an already well-known dish. The word comes from the Berber word k'seksu.
Traditional vs. Instant

Traditional couscous takes several hours to cook, and is steamed repeatedly. It is often cooked in a steamer basket that is placed above the vat used to cook stew. In many Western countries, instant couscous is the most prevalent variety, and can be cooked in five minutes on a stovetop.

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Couscous on Amazon
- Osem Israeli Couscous, 8.8-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12) - $33.48
  
  The Osem Group is a fine example of how to observe the laws of kashrut according to Halacha (Jewish religious law). For the last 13 years, the kashrut set-up in the facilities of t...
  
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- Nile Spice Couscous Parmesan, Low Fat, 1.9-Ounce Cups (Pack of 12) - $17.76
  
  We make great-tasting, all-natural soup cups that fit your lifestyle. We know that you don't always have time to make a healthy lunch or snack for yourself. Nile Spice soups are a ...
  
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- COUSCOUS, WHOLE WHEAT, 10 lbs. - $19.30
  
  Whole Wheat Couscous is made from semolina flour, which is the roughly milled endosperms of durum wheat. Whole Wheat Couscous is made with whole grain durum flour and often rolled...
  
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- Nile Spice Lentil Curry Couscous, Low Fat, 1.9-Ounce Cups (Pack of 12) - $17.76
  
  We make great-tasting, all-natural soup cups that fit your lifestyle. We know that you don't always have time to make a healthy lunch or snack for yourself. Nile Spice soups are a ...
  
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- Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco - $19.00
  
  Since it was first published in 1973, Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco has established itself as the classic work on one of the world's great cuisines. From the mag...
  
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Couscous Questions

Have any of you ever had couscous served with salmon? 1 Answer

My family has this monthly. Great favorite for us. read more

Why is there so many calories in a taboule salad ? I dont get it, its mainly parsley, couscous, oignons, oil and vinegar! 3 Answers

Cedar's Taboule Salad: 30 calories (serving size 2 tblsp/30g) read more

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On Twitter Powered by Twitter
- The ‘Cedars’ of Lebanon: An escape to the Middle-East: couscous, color, & quality Jessica Spiegel .. http://bit.ly/5tUuDx
- Couscous made my V. for lunch. Yum!
- Housemate made couscous and brought me dinner in bed. I am yet to live in a house where people don't feed me.
- feta and butternut couscous salad!
- @LinnyDuPreez couscous is delish! Good job!
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