I love couscous anywhere, but it’s particularly great on a boat, backpacking or camping. While it can be harder to find than rice or pasta, instant couscous cooks in just 5 minutes — and all you do is bring it to a boil, then turn off the heat and let it sit until the water is absorbed. It’s fast, uses little propane, doesn’t heat up the boat and doesn’t waste water (that is, all the water you use is absorbed into it, unlike pasta).
Couscous comes from North Africa and is made from wheat. In the US and Canada, it is most often sold as instant couscous (in fact, I thought that “instant” was just what couscous was until I began researching for the cookbook I’m writing with Jan), usually in small boxes like that at right.
In most grocery stores, these boxes of couscous are sold right next to the rice. Further, they come in several different flavors, such as curry or garlic. I prefer to buy plain and then add my own spices depending on what I’m making — that way, I don’t have to keep several different flavors on hand.
To be sure that you’re getting instant couscous, just check the cooking instructions. You should just have to bring the water to a boil, add the couscous, cover, turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. I’ve never seen it actually labeled as “instant.”
Outside the US and Canada, couscous can be hard to find — although I did occasionally find it in La Paz, Mexico on the Sea of Cortez and in San Salvador, El Salvador. When I’d make trips back to the US, I’d take a few jars like that at right back to the boat with me — the little boxes have a lot of air in them and aren’t space-efficient, but the plastic jars don’t contain much air and they double as good storage containers on the boat.
I ordered jars of couscous online rather than try to find them near whatever relatives we were visiting — a technique I used for almost everything we’d buy on trips back to the US. Additionally, I could find whole wheat couscous (more fiber, healthier) online, which I never saw in local stores (admittedly, I live in a small town). Below is a link for buying couscous at Amazon, where I bought it. There are several different types and brands — just be sure to get instant:
If you live in a larger city with a Trader Joe’s, friends have also told me they’ve bought whole wheat couscous in jars there.
One note: plain couscous doesn’t have a lot of flavor. It’s great in salads or as a replacement for rice or pasta in many dishes, but you’re probably not going to want to eat a dish of it plain without at least some spices and butter or olive oil.
If you have never tried couscous, it’s a great addition to your galley provisions!
The one comprehensive galley reference needed aboard every boat
Cook couscous with chicken broth or vegetable broth from bouillon for more flavor.
Thanks, Dave! I often do that, and somehow forgot to mention it.
Carolyn
Quinoa is another fabulous and super healthy option.
We had quinoa many times when traveling in South America (land trip) — funny you mention it, as last week I saw in the grocery store as a “new product”!
the way I do quick couscous (as opposed to a full-on couscousière meal, and that’s someting y’all can look up) is to use bouillon and quick-frozen veggies. Put frozen veggies in the serving bowl. Nuke ‘em in the microwave to defrost. Meanwhile, boil water. When veggies are warm, sprinkle some bouillon over the veggies. Pour in the raw couscous. When water is boiling, then pour it over the couscous and veggies, stir and cover. Wait a bit, and the couscous will swell and absorb the water and you’ll have a good meal all in one fell swoop
Bill and I have found we like Israeli Couscous much better than regular couscous…. give it a try, too!
Never seen it — where do you get it?
well certainly trader joe’s, but safeway carries it as do some of the better supermarket chains here in the zona…