What Is Israeli Couscous? Learn How to Cook Israeli Couscous

Israeli couscous and true couscous are both made with semolina flour and water, but true couscous is much smaller and irregularly shaped. First eaten by Berber people before the thirteenth century, true couscous is traditionally made at home by sprinkling water over hard-wheat flour and rolling the resultant dough into irregular 1 to 3 millimeter balls. This fresh pasta-like dough is then gently steamed and served with saucy meat and vegetable-based meals.

Israeli couscous, on the other hand, has always been produced by machine. Balls of Israeli couscous are bigger than regular couscous, with a soft, chewy texture. Designed for industrial production, Israeli couscous is perfectly spherical and often pre-toasted for flavor.

The ideal Israeli couscous-to-water ratio is about 1 cup of dry couscous to 1½ cups of water, but you can also cook Israeli couscous like pasta, simply draining off any excess liquid once the couscous is al dente. For even more flavor, sub the same amount of water for chicken broth or vegetable broth.

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to a pot over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add 1 cup couscous and stir to coat. Cook until lightly toasted and golden brown, about 2 minutes, then simmer couscous with 1½ cups water or broth until liquid is absorbed and the couscous is cooked through, about 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Although dried Israeli couscous is often already lightly pre-toasted, you can add even more flavor by browning your couscous in oil, or by adding aromatics such as sautéed garlic and onions, toasted spices, or hardy herbs such as rosemary or bay leaf.

Fill a large pot about two-thirds of the way with water, bring to a boil, and then add the couscous. Simmer until al dente, about 8 minutes.

1. 1. Israeli couscous salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, feta cheese, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, and fresh mint
2. 2. Roasted bell peppers stuffed with Israeli couscous
3. 3. Toasted Israeli couscous with fried eggs
4. 4. Israeli couscous risotto with mushrooms
5. 5. Israeli couscous salad with lentils, quinoa, dried fruits such as cranberries, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, and a vinaigrette
6. 6. Pink Israeli couscous with beets
7. 7. Israeli couscous with basil pesto
8. 8. Chicken and vegetable soup with Israeli couscous