Can you also put the couscous in the freezer?
Yes! Couscous can be frozen after it’s been cooked and then heat it up at later times. Reheating and freezing couscous is like freezing other kinds of pasta or grains, however, there are specific steps to follow to ensure the process is carried out correctly.
To ensure you’re capable of properly freezing couscous and other couscous, we will discuss the best method to cook the three types of couscous (Moroccan, Israeli, and Lebanese) that you are sure you’ll be freezing.
In order to assist you when the freezing is complete then we will explain the most efficient method of reheating frozen couscous as well as how to expect the appearance of your couscous similar to after heating it.
In this guide I will help ensure that whenever you cook couscous again you’ll know what you need to do to properly freeze it.
Preparation of Couscous Before Freezing
If you’re planning to cook a huge quantity of Couscous. In this article, you will provide the exact steps to cook couscous for a meal you intend to freeze following the fact.
We will discuss the correct preparation procedure for the three types of Couscous: Moroccan, Israeli, and Lebanese.
Although couscous may be made in the microwave, this article will explain how to cook couscous using the stove, since this is the method we prefer for preparing couscous when it is to be frozen once it is finished.
Moroccan Couscous: Stovetop Cooking
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of Couscous that has not been cooked (yields about 10 portions)
- 2 cups hot liquid (Chicken liquid or water that is flavored with pepper, salt and other spices)
- 1 TBSP Oil
- Salt
Preparation:
- Heat hot liquid, oil as well as salt, to a rolling boil
- Stop the stove and stir in couscous that is not cooked.
- Cover the pot and allow the couscous to absorb the hot liquid for five minutes.
- Take cover off and fluff the your couscous using an fork
- Serve and have fun!
Israeli (Pearl) Couscous: Stovetop Preparation
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of Couscous that is not cooked ( get a true pearl couscous such as this) (yields eight servings)
- 2 cups hot liquid (Chicken broth or even water flavor with pepper, salt and other spices)
- 1 TBSP Oil
- Salt
Preparation:
- Make sure to bring hot liquid, oil as well as salt, to a rolling boil
- Add the uncooked couscous to the pot Cover the pot and lower the temperature to simmer. temperature
- Let simmer for 10 minutes
- Switch off the heat and allow the couscous to sit for five minutes.
- Take cover off and fluff the using an fork
- Serve and have fun!
Lebanese (Moghrabieh) Couscous: Stovetop Preparation
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of Couscous that has not been cooked (yields 10 portions)
- 2 Cups of Hot Liquid (Chicken broth or even water that is flavored with pepper, salt, and other spices)
- 1 TBSP Oil
- Salt
Preparation:
- Make sure to bring oil, hot liquid, as well as salt, to a rolling boil
- Mix in the couscous that has not been cooked as you reduce the temperature to gentle simmer
- Cook for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often
- Discard water
- Serve and have fun!
Freezing Couscous: Step by Step Guide
You now know how to prepare various varieties of couscous before freezing, it’s the right time to figure out what you can do to store your couscous so as to make sure it’s free of any contamination and ready for reheating and eating.
Although there are some slight differences in the process of preparation for different kinds of Couscous, the process of freezing that follows is the same for all the various varieties of couscous.
The purpose of freezing couscous, is to keep it from turning into a huge chunk of frozen “block”, which will aid in ensuring it not to become too mushy upon heating.
Step 1
Be sure that the couscous is distinct from any other food you may serve it with. This will make sure that freezing the other food items does not affect the texture or texture of the couscous.
Step 2
The couscous should be left at the room until it is cool. That is you should not chill the couscous once it is already cold. This is crucial since if you put the couscous into the freezer while it’s still warm, the moisture will be released from the couscous, and then freeze and form the appearance of a “block” of frozen couscous that is difficult to heat.
NOTE: To accelerate your cooling time, put the couscous in an airtight container or bag and then put the container or bag into cold water. Do not wash the couscous in cold water straight away, because after placing the couscous into the freezer, this liquid will freeze, forming an ice-cube of couscous.
Step 3
Once the couscous is chilled or is at temperatures of room temperature, get an enormous plate or baking sheets and lay the couscous in an evenly-spaced layer. If you’re unable to use all the couscous, you can use another plate or baking sheet as needed.
Note: By spreading the couscous into a single uniform layer, we prevent any clumping that might occur in this freezing procedure. Because we prevent clumping, the couscous won’t become mushy upon reheating.
Step 4
Place a baking sheet or plate with couscous on it and then freeze.
Step 5
Transfer the couscous off of the baking sheet or plate into for storage in a ziplock bag that is air tight.
Step 6
Take as many air particles as you can in the Ziplock bag.
Step 7
In a ziplock, put Couscous in it and freeze.
NOTE: You could utilize an air-tight Tupperware container instead of a ziplock bag, if you need to. But, you should use the container with the minimum amount of air within it after adding the couscous.
Reheating frozen Couscous: Step-by-Step Guide
After you’ve successfully cooked a batch of couscous, and followed the correct procedure for freezing it, you’re ready to take it out of the freezer and start the process of reheating.
The principal goal when heating the couscous that was frozen is to heat it up so that it feels and tasting similar to a batch of couscous which was cooked the first time.
The best way to do this is to cook the couscous in the stovetop as you’ll have the chance to flake and separate any couscous which may be clumped up in the process of freezing.
Step 1:Heat an oil drizzle and 2 TBSP water on an oven-proof non-stick pan at a medium-low temperature.
Step 2: Add couscous in a saucepan and stir
Step 3: Continue to stir the couscous mixture until the water is absorbed, or evaporates
Step 4: Remove from the heat and then make sure to fluff it using a fork
Step 5: Re-season the dish with your favorite spices (optional) Serve, and then enjoy!
Another option you could employ to heat frozen couscous is to place the couscous that has been frozen in the microwave. Although this method isn’t as popular as the stovetop method but it’s still an option and can be used by those who favor (or need to utilize) using this technique.
How Do I Reheat Couscous in the Microwave
First step: Move the couscous in the freezer to a container that is microwave-friendly.
Step 2: Add 3 TBSP of water. Place it in the microwave.
Third step: Microwave at high for one minute increments until you see bubbling steam from the couscous. making sure to fluffing it with a fork after each step.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Related Questions
What is the longest I can store couscous in the freezer for?
The couscous can be kept in your freezer whatever time you’d like. So it is frozen, it won’t expire, get contaminated, or cause health hazards.
A thing to remember However, the couscous may be prone to developing “freezer burn” in which all the moisture is removed from the food and the food turns into a frozen. This can cause the food to be extremely unappetizing or taste stale after being heated.
The best method to avoid burning in the freezer is to store the couscous in an airtight ziplock bag that has had all air taken from it.
Can couscous that is frozen be hard after heating?
Couscous can become soupy upon reheating if isn’t made or frozen in a proper method.
To prevent couscous from becoming soft after heating, make certain to follow the preparation and freezing procedures as described previously.
Can freezing couscous make the food smell bad?
Although the couscous (and many other food items) tend to taste better when prepared fresh your first attempt, so long that you follow the steps that are laid out in this article the couscous you consume following the reheating process will still taste great.
If your couscous that you freeze is prone to freezer burn, it’s likely to taste slightly stalled when it is heated. It is therefore crucial to follow the correct method of freezing your couscous to prevent this.
Do I let the couscous melt before heating?
If your couscous was frozen in the right way (as explained in the article) You shouldn’t be required to freeze it prior to heating it. If however, your couscous was frozen in that it morphed into a massive “block” of frozen couscous and you need to let it thaw before heating.
To defrost, place the couscous you have frozen in the fridge or immerse in cold water until it has thawed.
