Some places online love the idea of getting you to eat couscous as a substitute to other starchy carbs like white rice or potatoes.
But they miss the fact that couscous has a lot of carbs in it and it is a processed carbohydrate: regular couscous is made from semolina (a coarsely ground wheat, mixed with flour, pressed and then rolled into tiny beads to produce couscous).
For an excellent nutritional comparison between couscous, rice and quinoa check out the Livingwell website.
But all is not lost.
The problem is couscous has to be the fastest most simplest food to prepare.
Literally boil a kettle, measure out your couscous, place it into a saucepan, pour in the boiled water to a level half a centimetre above the level of the couscous, cover it and then it’s done in 10 minutes!
How easy is that?
I add in a teaspoon of few spices to make the couscous actually taste of SOMETHING: turmeric, mixed curry powder, cumin and ground coriander – making sure to stir them into the couscous BEFORE the boiled water is added.
The simple way around loading up on carbs when eating couscous is to add mixed vegetables to it after the couscous has cooked.
Typically I try to go for a 3-to-1 ratio of mixed vegetables to couscous so that it looks as though the couscous is there as an afterthought.
This brings down the total amount of carbs that you consume and makes sure you have a great side of mainly vegetables to keep in the fridge for a few days and serve with your favourite protein.
Ingredients
- Half a cup of couscous
- A teaspoon each of turmeric, mixed curry powder, cumin and ground coriander
- 1kg bag Mixed Frozen Vegetables
- Juice from one lemon
- 1 Tbsp mixed herbs
- Salt and pepper
How To Make Frozen Mixed Vegetables With Couscous
Put a full kettle on to boil.
Measure out half a cup of couscous into a saucepan adding the spices and mix everything through thoroughly.
Add some of the boiled water from the kettle to a second large saucepan and add the mixed vegetables bring to the boil then drain immediately.
Whilst the vegetables are cooking add freshly boiled water to the couscous and spices to a level half a centimetre above the level of the couscous mix and cover immediately.
Do not stir the couscous simply leave it for 10 minutes and it’s done.
Combine the couscous, drained mix veggies, lemon juice, mixed herbs, rock salt and pepper in a large suitable container and mix gently trying not to destroy the vegetables.
Serve with your favourite protein.
