If you are looking for an alternative to pasta to use as a side dish or base for some of your favorite meals, you may want to learn how to cook pearl couscous. Pearl couscous, also called Israeli couscous, consists of round, pasta-like granules made from bulgur (course chunks of wheat) that have a nutty flavor when baked.http://health4u.msu.edu/_pdfs/rfh/2010/rfhFebruary.pdf Its differs from traditional North African couscous in that the granules are twice as big and are toasted rather than dried. Because individual pearl couscous is "sturdier" than traditional couscous, it can be prepared like pasta and may be served with heavier sauces.http://www.cookthink.com/reference/2176/What_is_Israeli_couscous

Pearl couscous can be used in soup or as a base for chicken or fish.http://www.cookthink.com/reference/2176/What_is_Israeli_couscous It can also be eaten as its own meal, such as a pearl couscous salad made with nuts, fresh vegetables, cheese and a light sauce or dressing.http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/noodles-pasta-and-grains/recipe-inspiration-pearl-israeli-couscous-salads-087158 Couscous in general is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and contains about six grams of protein per 1/3 cup serving.http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5699/2

Supermarkets tend to sell dry pearl couscous in packages, or sometimes in bulk containers. You may have to look in the specialty food or international food aisles. Natural food stores may be more likely to have pearl couscous in stock.http://www.veggielife.com/magazine.aspx?mtype=G

Once you have purchased the couscous and are ready to cook, you will need to toast the granules first. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil in a sauté pan. Add the couscous, shaking and stirring the granules until they are evenly coated with oil. Toast for about five minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prKnedzZlGk

Once the couscous has been toasted, you will need to begin to cook the granules. Add two cups of boiling water into the hot pan of toasted couscous. Stir. Cover with a lid or baking sheet and cook the couscous for about 12 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed. For the last minute of cooking time, remove the cover and toss the granules with a spatula to help absorb the remaining water. The couscous will be soggy if you do not cook it long enough, but also be sure not to dry it out.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prKnedzZlGk

There are alternative methods to cooking pearl couscous. Like other pastas, the granules can be boiled in salted water and then drained once they have softened. You can also prepare pearl couscous as a risotto by adding wine, vegetable stock or chicken stock to the granules and simmering until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is creamy.http://www.canadianliving.com/food/cooking_school/discover_couscous.php

There are several ways to present and serve pearl couscous. If you intend to serve the couscous with vegetables, such as spinach or artichoke hearts, you can add the vegetables directly to the pan with the cooked couscous and toss over medium-low heat until cooked through. Serve on its own in a bowl or as a side dish for meat or fish.http://health4u.msu.edu/_pdfs/rfh/2010/rfhFebruary.pdf

Pearl couscous can also be a hearty base to many soups. It can used as a substitute for noodles in chicken noodle soup, or can be added to tomato soup for extra breadth.http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-tomato-soup-with-israeli-couscous-crock-pot-343627 Simply cook the couscous on its own while sautéing vegetables, cooking meat and preparing the soup's broth. Add couscous and simmer until ready to serve.http://thefrugalchef.com/2010/01/chicken-isareli-couscous-soup/