Unlock the Secret: Make Perfect Couscous in Just 10 Minutes, No Special Equipment Needed!

Couscous preparation is almost a sacred ritual. Traditionally, it begins by moistening the couscous in a dish with a bit of water, oil, and salt, and then carefully fluffing it with your fingertips. It is then steamed for 20 minutes in a couscous steamer basket, returned to the dish, and worked by hand with a bit more salted water to break up any clumps. It might undergo a second (and sometimes third) steam to ensure the grains are well-expanded and airy. Finally, it’s fluffed one last time with a bit of smen (fermented butter) to bind and flavor it. While this process is rewarding, it’s also time-consuming and requires owning a couscous steamer. If you’re not equipped with one or just looking to save time, there’s a handy shortcut introduced by Lou Elsener, known as @Louloukitchen online!

“Today, I’m preparing couscous without a couscous steamer,” states Lou Elsener. While she’s adept at traditional methods, she also has a technique for preparing couscous without any specialized equipment.

When away from her kitchen tools, she follows this method: she starts by putting the couscous into a large dish (here, 500 g for four people). Then, she adds 20 g of melted butter and a generous drizzle of olive oil. She mixes everything thoroughly by hand, adds two teaspoons of salt, and then pours over two large glasses of hot water. She covers the dish with plastic wrap and lets it sit for 5 minutes to swell. “It’s almost ready; you just need to microwave it for three minutes before serving,” the chef advises.

Tasting verdict? “It’s delicious!“, she exclaims. Although the texture of the couscous might be slightly less light and fluffy than when steamed traditionally, the minimal time spent in the kitchen makes the result more than satisfactory. You can judge for yourself!