Bonnie: Brown rice couscous? I wondered what it was, as all the couscous I know is made from semolina wheat and is prepared by either steaming it or by pouring boiling water over the quick version and letting it stand for five minutes.

This new organic brown rice couscous — a wheat-free alternative — is different. Instead it’s brown rice, broken into small pieces so it cooks faster. It’s also roasted to provide flavor and stabilize the bran and germ (the most nutritious parts of the grain).

The company suggests you cook it like regular rice. That is adding it to boiling water, reduce the heat to low and cook until all the liquid is absorbed. That’s only about 13 minutes instead of the usual 45 to 50.

Being a rice aficionado after writing a book by the same name, I don’t often follow the directions on the package. Instead, I sautéed an onion in olive oil until almost caramelized, then added some other diced veggies (celery, garlic, zucchini) and cooked it for an additional minute. Then I added the brown rice couscous and stirred until the grains were coated with the oil, and added chicken broth. I brought that to a boil, reduced the heat and cooked it for 13 minutes or until the liquid was absorbed. Of course, then I tasted it and added some sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

They also make flavored versions, but I prefer to add my own seasonings.

Bryan: Brown rice couscous… huh? To fully explain this odd (yet delicious) product, I think we need to start with a brief explanation of what couscous actually is.

Couscous (pronounced “koos koos”) is a dish of spherical granules, created by rolling semolina wheat into small balls and then coating them with wheat flour. Different types of cereal are used to create different variations of the dish, with varying tastes and sizes. Israeli couscous uses granules that are twice the usual diameter. Couscous is a very popular starch, used in a number of cultures around the world. The side is traditionally served beneath meat or vegetable stew, though it also can be eaten alone or as a side dish. (Flavoring is an absolute requirement, though!)

Lundberg Family Farms couscous is just a bit different; this is a wheat-free alternative to traditional couscous, something I didn’t think was even possible. Lundberg Farms Roasted Brown Rice Couscous is gluten free and made with 100 percent organic brown rice. It has a light, fluffy texture… and best of all, a very quick cook time (under 15 minutes).

Lundberg’s brown rice couscous takes the grain out of the traditional semolina couscous, moving it into that ever-growing gluten-free category of foods. The “secret” is making it from organic brown rice, instead of milled wheat, a major shift in nutritional makeup, without a major shift in taste!

This plain couscous is a great change of pace (especially for the gluten-affected) from brown rice. So, be a bit adventurous with your next meal; give brown rice couscous a try!

Eric: Regardless of whatever meal I am cooking, I always take into consideration the three basic components: the protein, vegetable and starch. For me, the starch is my favorite to play with, because unlike the vegetable and meat or fish, the starch is one component that always needs something added to it, particularly taste. Take your basic potato, rice, pasta or couscous: Essentially they’re all canvases for you to build on – the starting point for creating your masterpiece.

The reason Lundberg Family Farms Plain Roasted Brown Rice Couscous tickled our taste buds was due in part to the originality of the product. This isn’t your everyday semolina-flour couscous. In fact, it packs essential fiber, protein and vitamins into a usually nutrition-lacking starch. Add to that the fact that it’s gluten-free, vegan and ready in less than 15 minutes.

Note to the reader: “Thinking outside of the box” is required for this product. Use your imagination when creating your side dish; add some sautéed onion, mix it with fresh vegetables, substitute chicken stock for the water. The greatest part of cooking is experimenting, and this is the perfect product to start with.

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