Pearl couscous also known as Israeli couscous, p’titim, and giant couscous is a type of rounded pasta.
It is often confused with traditional couscous for its flavor and shape and with short-grain rice because of its small form.
Sometimes, it is also confused with orzo and bulgur because of its way of cooking.
It is a perfect substitute ingredient for couscous, rice, orzo, and bulgur. Thus, this confusion is completely convincing. Besides, they share common characteristics like their versatility and easy cooking.
However, pearl couscous has its own identity. Let’s discover it to start using it and create delightful preparations.
More about pearl couscous
Pearl couscous is a type of tiny pasta made from semolina flour. It has a round shape similar to a pearl (hence the name) and a sweet and nutty flavor. Its texture is a bit chewy when it is cooked.
In the following link https://riceselect.com/product/riceselect-pearl-couscous you will find detailed information on how to cook it to perfection.
The most popular dish made with pearl couscous is the typical Mediterranean salad with tomato, cucumbers, onions, olives, and feta cheese.
Pearl couscous is used in more than salads. Like other similar ingredients, pearl couscous is simply served with salt and pepper. It can be paired with other components to make a convenient side dish.
It also works with roasted vegetables, soups, stews, fillings, and as a complement to meat, chicken, pork, and fish.
Creative ideas for using pearl couscous
Here is a list of some original dishes with pearl couscous as the core ingredient:
- Couscous with pomegranate and lentils: An intense-flavored dish with pearl couscous, lentils, and mushrooms seasoned with cardamom, cinnamon, paprika, coriander, black pepper, pomegranate molasses, and lemon juice. It is served with nuts and raisins at the top. It is a great side dish, but it turns into a delicious complete meal if you add chicken or pork.
- Almond and herb couscous: This side dish goes perfectly with roasted chicken, roasted vegetables, and grilled steak. It has a deep taste and color due to the smoked paprika. Almonds give a crunchy texture while herbs give a fresh touch.
- Couscous with watermelon, feta, and minted dressing: A fresh salad made of sweet watermelon, crunchy celery, and feta cheese dressed with lime, mint, and olive oil. This salad is a great accompaniment for grilled shrimp, roasted chicken, grilled meat, or a barbecue.
- Sweet and salty couscous: It is a flavorsome dish combining the sweetness of dried fruits and almonds cooked in salted chicken stock and toasted pearl couscous.
- Couscous Mac and cheese: This popular comfort dish can be cooked with pearl couscous. It has couscous baked with butter, milk, cottage cheese, and feta cheese topped with melted butter and smoked paprika. Pearl couscous is not only intended to use in salty preparations. Its taste and texture equally work in desserts or sweet snacks, as the ones listed below:
- Sweet Israeli cinnamon couscous: This simple dish is eaten for breakfast. It contains a few ingredients like pearl couscous, milk, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and honey.
- Pearl couscous Kheer: It is like traditional Kheer, but using pearl couscous instead of rice. This recipe is faster than regular Kheer. It includes pearl couscous, milk, and sugar flavored with cardamom and saffron, and served with raisins, pistachios, and nuts.
- Coconut pearl couscous pudding: This variation includes pearl couscous cooked with coconut milk, sugar, strawberries, and plum, flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, honey, turmeric, and ginger.
- Pearl couscous breakfast: Another option for a sweet breakfast is with pearl couscous, coconut milk, honey, toasted almonds, shredded coconut, and dried apricots.
