Crimson couscous, also known as mhamsa, is a North African dish made with steamed semolina grains that are then tossed with a flavorful sauce. This vibrant dish gets its name from the addition of tomatoes, paprika, or harissa, which give it a beautiful red color. Crimson couscous can be served as a main course or a side dish and is often accompanied by grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or a refreshing salad. With its unique blend of spices and textures, crimson couscous is a culinary delight that tantalizes the taste buds and transports you to the vibrant streets of North Africa.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
CRIMSON COUSCOUS
Couscous will soak up the color and flavor of whatever liquid you cook it in; water infused with a red beet will impart a deep blush.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring 3/4 cup water, diced beet, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer beet, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid; drain beet. (If you have less than 1/2 cup liquid, add water to fill.) Return beet and liquid to pan. Add butter, coriander, and cumin; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous; cover. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes.
- Fluff couscous with a fork. Stir in apricots, currants, zest, and orange juice. Season with salt and pepper.
CURRIED COUSCOUS
Steps:
- Place the couscous in a medium bowl. Melt the butter in the boiling water and pour over the couscous. Cover tightly and allow the couscous to soak for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, curry, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Pour over the fluffed couscous, and mix well with a fork. Add the carrots, parsley, currants, almonds, scallions, and red onions, mix well, and season to taste. Serve at room temperature.
HOW TO COOK COUSCOUS
Learn how to cook couscous perfectly every time! It takes just 15 minutes and a handful of ingredients. This quick couscous recipe is a great side next to your favorite protein, or use it as a bed to a tasty stew.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Side
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a saucepan, add broth or water. Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt. Bring to a boil.
- Now, toast the couscous. In a non-stick skillet or pan, heat about 1 to 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Add the couscous and toss around with a wooden spoon until golden brown. This is an optional step but can really adds a great nutty flavor.
- Stir couscous in the boiled liquid quickly and immediately turn the heat off. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes or until couscous has completely absorbed the broth or water.
- Uncover and fluff with a fork.
- You can serve couscous plain, or mix in spices and herbs to give it more flavor. If you like, add in a pinch of cumin, sautéed garlic, chopped green onions, and fresh herbs or your choice. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 202 kcal, Sodium 1.1 mg, Fat 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Carbohydrate 34.2 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 7.1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CRIMSON COUSCOUS
Steps:
- Bring 3/4 cup water, the diced beet, and the salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer the beet, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid; drain the beet. (If you have less than 1/2 cup liquid, add water to fill.)
- Return the beet and liquid to the pan. Add the butter, coriander, and cumin; bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous; cover, and remove from heat. Let stand until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork. Stir in the apricots, currants, zest, and orange juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Tips:
- Rinse the couscous before cooking. This will remove any dust or debris and help the couscous to cook evenly.
- Use a fork to fluff the couscous after cooking. This will help to separate the grains and make the couscous light and fluffy.
- Season the couscous to taste. You can add salt, pepper, herbs, or spices to taste.
- Add some vegetables or protein to your couscous. This will make it a more complete meal.
- Experiment with different cooking methods. You can cook couscous in a pot on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, or even in the microwave.
Conclusion:
Couscous is a versatile and delicious grain that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins. With its mild flavor and fluffy texture, couscous is a great choice for salads, pilafs, and main courses. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give couscous a try.
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