Sunday, November 9, 2008

Lemon Couscous



Couscous is a tiny pasta that is delicious, nutritious, and incredibly easy to prepare. The traditional North African dish known as couscous was originally made by hand. Large grains of semolina were prepared in several steps by dampening smaller grains of semolina with water and working them between the hands to break up clumps into smaller and smaller granules until finally being ready to cook. This is a very time taking process. Commercially made couscous does the above described hand processes by machine, what you buy is at the stage that is ready to cook.
The word couscous might derive from the Arabic word kaskasa, it means 'to pound small'.
Couscous can be used instead of rice, pasta or potatoes as an alternative carbohydrate. It is the perfect food for health conscious people and easy to make. Couscous contains proteins, fibre, vitaminB. It’s incredibly simple to prepare. Just add hot water and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, add seasoning and mix some lime juice. Its  a great tasting meal.

Couscous           1 cup
Water                1 cup
Lemon juice      2tbs
Cumin                1tsp
Mustard seeds 1tsp
Black gram       1tsp
Bengal gram     1tsp
Red chillie         1
Green chillies   2 (chopped)
Cilentro            1tbs(chopped)
Cahewnuts       1tbsp
Oil                     2tbs
Turmaric powder
Curry leaves  
Salt

Place the water and salt in a pan and bring to the boil. Pour over the couscous, making sure it is completely wet. Stir in couscous and reduce heat until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender.
 
In a pan heat oil and add one bye one cumin, mustard seeds, black gram, bengal gram, red chillies, cashewnuts, green chillies, curry leaves and turmaric powder and mix well.

Once fried all well, add cooked couscous and stir well for a while. Mix the chopped cilentro and switch of the stove. Allow to cool for 5 mints then add lemon juice and mix it well.  
Now its ready to serve.

28 comments:

lubnakarim06 said...

Wow looks scrummy and easy to make. Thanks for sharing.

Kitchen Chronicles said...

Looks crunchy and yummy.

Priya Suresh said...

Wonderful, never knew that can also prepare couscous as we do with rice..fabulous, looks simply delish..

Cham said...

Good one with the use of couscous

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

very nice idea..never tasted couscous..but i have seen people making upma out of it..

Uma said...

mmm. looks so yummmy!

Raks said...

For long time I thought couscous is same as khuskhus/kasa kasa,Thankx for sharing this!

ST said...

Looks very very delicious and tasty:)

Deepthi Shankar said...

thatz a total comfort meal .. looks yummy

AnuSriram said...

That looks awesome.. Never tried them yet!

Bhawana said...

looks yuuummmmmmmy :).how have u been.

Jayashree said...

Looks like a great meal.

Daily Meals said...

Nice colour...

Adlak's tiny world said...

looks yumm and delish. u have nice collections here. kids are so cute... cho chweets with the sweets.

sra said...

That looks just like pulihora with couscous! :-)

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Lemon Couscous is something delectable and would make a great dish with any gravy...

Priya Suresh said...

I have something for u dear, pls check it at: http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2008/11/awards-time.html

Malar Gandhi said...

Nice one dude.

Indranee Batabyal said...

Dish looks lovely...though I have never tasted it!

Yasmeen said...

tangy couscous!A surprise for you in my blog:)

lubnakarim06 said...

Suprise Weekend Bonanza waiting for you.

Sum Raj said...

small treat to share with u..check my blog..

RV @ Food for 7 Stages said...

Hi... Thanks for your comments... Your blog looks fabulous. I am a great fan of Andhra cuisine. Nice to know your blog and I shall definitely try your lip smacking recipes.

R said...

Pls visit YAAT post at my blog. I have something for you...

Premyscakes said...

Wonderful recipe, i really liked it. And your blog is very interesting.

Anisheetu said...

nice entry thanks for sharing...

Roo said...

photo chusthe, amma chesedhi ghurthuki vostundhi.. very nice entry. In Kar and AP lemon rice and variety of rice is had for bfast na, in TN they dont eat so... am from blr my hubby is from chennai and I miss all these...

Miri said...

This lemon couscous is such an interesting twist...beautiful!