Back seriouseats.com

Simple Fluffy Couscous

Name: Simple Fluffy Couscous
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: 3 cups (510g) dry couscous (see notes); 1 1/2 cups (360g) cold or room temperature homemade chicken or vegetable stock or store bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth or water, plus more as needed; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; for table salt or fine sea salt use half by volume, plus more to taste; 3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil or melted butter

Cooking couscous according to the packaging instructions is quick and easy, but it almost always results in sticky, unevenly cooked couscous. But this unique technique guarantees fluffy, perfectly cooked couscous every time.

45 min total 15 min prep 30 min cook 6 177 cal

Ingredients

6 serv.

3 cups (510g) dry couscous (see notes)
1 1/2 cups (360g) cold or room temperature homemade chicken or vegetable stock or store bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth or water, plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; for table salt or fine sea salt use half by volume, plus more to taste
3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil or melted butter

Instructions

Tap a step to mark it done

1 Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350℉ (175℃). In a 9- by 13-inch baking dish, add couscous and pour the liquid over top. Use your hands to mix the couscous evenly, making sure all the grains are moistened. Let sit at room temperature until all liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
2 Use your fingers (or a fork) to separate the grains of couscous until light, fluffy, and well separated. Check their consistency—the grains should be plump but still hold their shape when pressed between two fingers. If your couscous is still hard, add 1/2 cup of stock, broth, or water, let sit for 15 additional minutes, and fluff again.
3 Add salt and olive oil or melted butter to grains and use fingers to mix thoroughly.
4 Cover tightly with foil and bake until couscous grains are fully tender and hot, 30 to 35 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season to taste with salt. Serve.