No side dish is as easy, quick and versatile as couscous – so put it at the top of your packing list (just after the spare wheel). Adjust this basic recipe to your taste.

You need: (for 4 portions)

• 2 cups couscous
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups boiling water
   

Get cracking:

• Place the couscous and salt in a saucepan and add the boiling water (don’t stir it). 
• Cover with a lid and let it stand for 10 minutes. 
• Then stir it with a fork to separate the grains. 
• Voilà, it’s ready to serve.

TIP:

• You can serve couscous warm with a stew (instead of rice), or mix it with warm veggies such as cubes of butternut. 
• Or serve it cold with all sorts of salad ingredients. 
• And how about dates and nuts with cream for an exotic dessert?