fakeaway.ng
for the home cook
prawn stir fried couscous
This is only like the third time I’ve made this now and so far so good. I’d always been nervous about making couscous because I’ve never actually liked it. They serve it a lot with Mediterranean food (which I don’t love) and it always kinda tasted like “soft nothing” to me.
But once, a friends chef here in Lagos made a veggie style Quinoa and I was in love.
So as I do, I went to the store on the hunt for Quinoa ...
unfortunately Hubmart in Lekki didn’t have any so I begrudging settled for CousCous because I was already set on the vibe.
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Making this I was worried it might be soggy because I could see how sensitive it looked so because I’m a bit extra and I really didn’t want it to be soft, after I soaked it in water as per the instructions, I toasted a little in a pan before stir frying…mad.
Let me know if you give this a try, hope you enjoy it as much as I do! x
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Total time: 25 mins
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
Couscous, 1 cup
Prawns, 100g
Yellow bell pepper, 1/2
Green bell pepper, 1/4
Orange bell pepper, 1/4 *optional
Red bell pepper, 1/4 *optional
Scotch Bonnet, x1
Sazon seasoning, 1 tbsp
Thyme, 1/2tsp
Rosemary, 1/2 tsp
Salt, to taste
Grocery shopping:
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Hubmart, Lekki Phase 1
Paprika (bell peppers) Mix: Ebeano, Lekki Phase 1
PREP:
Heat 1 bottle of nestle water or 60cl of water.
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Once the water has boiled, pour into a bowl and add 1 cup of couscous. Add 2 tsp of salt, stir lightly and set aside to sit for about 5-8 mins.
(While you get on with...)
Cleaning, slicing and dicing the bell peppers and scotch bonnets.
Cleaning and cutting the prawns into 1 inch chunks or smaller
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Then seasoning the prawns with 2 tsp of Sazon, toss and set aside
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By now your couscous should have risen (remember we don’t want it to get too soft and soggy). Drain the water and set aside.
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COOK:
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In a pan heat 2 tbsp of olive oil and fry the prawns. Fry at low heat for approx. 7 mins, tossing frequently. Once browned and cooked through, remove the prawns from the heat and set on a paper toweled plate.
Add the chopped peppers to the pan add thyme and rosemary then leave to simmer on low heat.
TOAST THE COUSCOUS
In a separate pan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil or melt butter (butter is better).
Increase the heat to high, add the couscous and flash fry in the pan for approx. 1 min. tossing frequently, then set aside.
Now add the prawns to the peppers and stir, the add the couscous and toss lightly with a spatula.
Leave the couscous on low heat for approx. 2 mins after adding it to the prawn and peppers. Taste and salt light as needed.
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Remove from the heat and serve whilst hot.
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ENJOY!