Couscous is commonly described as pasta because it is made from the same flour. In its raw state, it is a grainy substance made from grounded wheat. When cooked, it is much smoother in consistency and can be served with many meals. Couscous is very easy to prepare, and can be seasoned to produce a variety of flavors. In addition to great taste, it is also packed with nutrients that are essential to your health.
What is Couscous Made of?
The basic ingredient used to make couscous is durum wheat. This wheat is then ground into semolina flour. Semolina flour is widely used to make other forms of pasta. Couscous is a food that is eaten globally. It is said that it originated in Africa and quickly spread to the Middle East, UK, US and Asian countries. It is cooked in many ways and with different ingredients globally.
What is Couscous Used for?
When cooked well, couscous can be combined with many other foods to make tasty side dishes, salads and even main meals. Because of its unobtrusive taste, you can prepare and season it with fruit, vegetables, meats, nuts and beans. It’s a good way to add more fiber and carbohydrates to small meals in order to feel full faster.
What is Couscous’ Nutritional Profile?
One of the benefits of couscous is that it is whole grain. This means that the nutrients have not been processed out of the plant. It is therefore rich in fiber and complex, healthy carbohydrates. You can also find plenty of B vitamins in couscous, which help keep the brain, heart, blood and immune system in order. B vitamins are also important in the production of red blood cells and metabolism.
Couscous contains a good amount of selenium and manganese. These minerals care for your reproductive system, keep thyroid hormones balanced and regulate your blood sugar. They are also recommended by physicians to pregnant women because they can prevent birth defects in unborn children.
What is Couscous’ Effect on Your Health?
Couscous is a good example of a low-calorie carbohydrate source. A cup of this whole grain dish contains around 180 calories and is loaded with the complex carbs and fiber you need to hold back hunger. Complex carbohydrates are also effective at normalizing blood sugar, which is an essential part of life for diabetics.
If you’ve been gaining weight because of thyroid malfunction, couscous can give you the nutrients you need to solve this problem. Selenium, in particular, supports the thyroid and harmonizes the hormones for a faster metabolism.
How to Cook Couscous
The easiest way to prepare couscous is to boil or steam it. To boil, you will need:
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
- ½ tsp. salt
Bring water or broth to the boil in a pot. Stir in couscous and salt and cook for 10 minutes. Cook until it is no longer crunchy. That’s it!
Besides being incredibly easy to make, couscous is also a nutritious food you can enjoy without stacking up calories. Have it with your salads, favorite meals and even desserts. Add spices and herbs to create new flavors.
Leave a Reply