This cold couscous is a great alternative to the classic rice salad and also has the advantage of being much quicker to prepare. Couscous, in fact, cooks in just a few minutes and seasoning it is a matter of moments. Therefore… it must be tried! A main dish suitable for the whole family and delicious even the next day.
Other couscous ideas you might be interested in:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 people
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients for Cold Couscous
- 1 1/4 cups couscous
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 green onion
- 7 oz canned tuna in oil (drained weight)
- 1 cup arugula
- 1 tbsp capers
- 3/4 oz salted roasted pistachios
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
Tools
- 1 Saucepan
- 1 Bowl
- 1 Mezzaluna
Preparation of Cold Couscous
In a large saucepan, cook the couscous following the package instructions. I added 1 cup of water to a saucepan, salted it, added a tablespoon of oil, and brought it to a boil. Then I poured in the couscous and turned off the heat. I let it absorb the water for about 3/4 minutes, fluffing it with a wooden spoon. Then I added a couple of tablespoons of butter, turned the heat back on, and finished cooking on very low heat for another 3/4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the couscous from the saucepan and transfer it to a bowl.
In the same saucepan, add a tablespoon of oil and sauté the chopped green onion; then add it to the couscous.
Drain the tuna from its preserving oil, crumble it with a fork and add it to the couscous once cooled.
Also add the arugula roughly chopped with a mezzaluna and the capers: you can use either salt-packed or vinegar-packed ones. In both cases, rinse them well under running water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Chop the pistachios roughly and add them to the other ingredients.
Mix everything carefully, adding a couple of tablespoons of raw oil. Adjust salt and pepper.
The cold couscous is ready. Store it in the refrigerator until use. It’s excellent even the next day! Enjoy! Paola
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