Houston's couscous is a delightful dish that combines the flavors of the Middle East with the culinary traditions of the American South. Originating from the vibrant city of Houston, Texas, this dish has gained popularity for its unique blend of spices, herbs, and textures. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to try something new, this article will guide you through the steps of preparing this flavorful meal. From selecting the right ingredients to mastering the cooking techniques, we'll provide you with all the information you need to create a delicious Houston's couscous dish that will impress your friends and family.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
HOUSTON'S COUSCOUS RECIPE
Dear SOS: I'd love to get the recipe for the couscous at Hillstone (formerly Houston's) in Santa Monica.Many thanks.Meghan TilleyVeniceDear Meghan: We loved the fresh flavors and bright colors in this couscous, which makes for a great summer side dish or a perfect snack.
Provided by Noelle Carter
Categories VEGETARIAN, SIDES, EASY, FAST, NO-COOK
Time 40m
Yield Serves 4 to 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a simmer. Add the couscous and cook gently until the water is absorbed, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the couscous to a baking sheet to cool.
- In another small saucepan, bring the remaining 1 1/2 cups water to a simmer. Add the bulgur wheat and cook gently until the water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a baking sheet to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled couscous and bulgur wheat. Stir in the radishes, green onions, parsley, raisins, tomatoes, almonds and mint leaves. Add the lemon juice and olive oil, stirring to coat. Season with one-half teaspoon salt and one-fourth teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust the flavorings and seasonings as desired. This makes about 4 cups salad.
HOUSTON'S COUSCOUS
Steps:
- 1. In a small saucepan, bring 11/2 cups water to a simmer. Add the couscous and cook gently until the water is absorbed, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the couscous to a baking sheet to cool. 2. In another small saucepan, bring the remaining 11/2 cups water to a simmer. Add the bulgur wheat and cook gently until the water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a baking sheet to cool. 3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled couscous and bulgur wheat. Stir in the radishes, green onions, parsley, raisins, tomatoes, almonds and mint leaves. Add the lemon juice and olive oil, stirring to coat. Season with one-half teaspoon salt and one-fourth teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust the flavorings and seasonings as desired. This makes about 4 cups salad.
HERBY COUSCOUS
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water, the butter and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the couscous. Return the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the saucepan and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Add the basil, chives, parsley, olive oil, dill, lemon zest and juice to a large bowl. Add the cooked couscous and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, toss to combine.
SEASONED COUSCOUS
"Partner it with delicious Seasoned Couscous, and you have a winner," Ruth says. Flecked with basil and parsley, the speedy stovetop side dish comes together in a snap.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 15m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in couscous. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 185 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 299mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
HAND-ROLLED COUSCOUS
This couscous recipe comes from Leetal and Ron Arazi, owners of New York Shuk, a food company specializing in Sephardic and Middle Eastern Jewish cuisines. All it takes is some semolina, a little water, a strainer and a steamer. Once you have practiced it a few times to pick up the knack, it is easy, even magical. Not to mention a showstopping addition to the table. "Making couscous is not hard," said Mr. Arazi, 32. "But it is labor intensive. For Leetal and me, couscous is craftsmanship. We are losing the battle of making it to industrial processed couscous." He learned to make couscous from his mother, who was born in Mogador, now Essaouira, a town in Morocco once known for its expert couscous makers. "I, the only son in my family, love to preach about it," he said. "My sisters never made couscous in their life."
Provided by Joan Nathan
Categories side dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Put the semolina in a large mixing bowl. Place 1/2 cup water in a sprayer and use it to moisten the semolina. Begin by spraying the surface, stirring the mixture with your hand, pressing down and moving the palm in a circular motion. It is better to have too little moisture than too much because you don't want to create a dough. Continue to spray and mix until water is evenly incorporated into the semolina; it should form tiny granules without clumping, and not all the water may be needed.
- At this point, depending on the texture of the mixture, you may want to sift it for uniformity and to remove any small clumps. To sift it, shake the moistened semolina through a strainer or colander with holes about 1/8 inch in diameter (better slightly larger than smaller) and into another bowl. After most of it has passed through, stir to continue to pass it through, then press to pass as much as possible. There may be a small amount of doughy mixture that won't go through the strainer - as much as 1/3 cup - and this may be discarded.
- Prepare a couscoussiere or steamer by adding four to five inches of water to the bottom, and bring it to a boil. Add the semolina and steam uncovered for 10 minutes, mixing about every 30 seconds to prevent clumping; after 10 minutes, the mixture won't clump any more. Cover, and continue to steam for another 30 minutes, stirring about every 10 minutes.
- Transfer the couscous to a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and drizzle with oil. Stir gently with a fork. The couscous may be covered and refrigerated at this point for up to three days.
- To serve, bring 2 cups of water or broth to a boil, and set aside. Steam the couscous one more time, covered, over boiling water, for another 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and add 1 to 2 cups of the liquid so it is moist but not wet. Fluff, and serve immediately, or if desired, pass once more through a large-holed sieve or colander. It may be cooled and refrigerated for up to three days; reheat by steaming.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 414, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 59 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 12 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 393 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
GREEK COUSCOUS
Greek style Israeli couscous. So delicious!
Provided by KenzieKook
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 45m
Yield 3
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Pour the chicken broth and water into a saucepan, stir in the garlic, and bring to a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover the pan, and remove from heat. Allow the couscous to stand until all the water has been absorbed, about 5 minutes; fluff with a fork. Allow the couscous to cool to warm temperature.
- In a large serving bowl, lightly toss the couscous, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and garbanzo beans. Mix the oregano, black pepper, white wine vinegar, and lemon juice in a small bowl, and pour over the couscous mixture. Toss again to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 253.6 calories, Carbohydrate 42.4 g, Cholesterol 5.6 mg, Fat 5.6 g, Fiber 5.8 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 591.8 mg, Sugar 2 g
Tips:
- Properly measure your couscous: Use a measuring cup to ensure the correct ratio of couscous to liquid. Too much couscous can make the dish dry and clumpy, while too little can result in a runny consistency.
- Toast the couscous before cooking: Toasting the couscous in a pan with a little oil or butter before adding the liquid enhances its nutty flavor and gives it a slightly chewy texture.
- Use flavorful liquids: Instead of plain water, try using broth, coconut milk, or tomato juice to cook the couscous. This adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish.
- Let the couscous rest: After cooking, let the couscous rest for a few minutes before fluffing it with a fork. This allows the grains to absorb the remaining liquid and prevents them from becoming sticky.
- Add vegetables, protein, and herbs: Customize your couscous by adding a variety of vegetables, proteins, and herbs. Roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, and fresh herbs like cilantro or mint are popular choices.
- Experiment with different spices and seasonings: Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and seasonings to create unique flavor profiles. Cumin, paprika, and harissa are common Middle Eastern spices that pair well with couscous.
Conclusion:
With its versatility and endless possibilities, couscous is a culinary delight that can be enjoyed in various cuisines. Whether you prefer a simple side dish or a hearty main course, there's a couscous recipe that will satisfy your taste buds. So, explore the diverse world of couscous and embark on a journey of culinary exploration!
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