• Pearl Couscous has become enormously popular with restaurant chefs from coast to coast.

• Israeli-style semolina pasta, toasted on an open flame

• Absorbs flavors easily

• A unique rich nutty flavor

• A versatile accompaniment, main dish or salad

Pearl Couscous is a small, round semolina pasta sometimes called pearl couscous or maftoul, it resembles barley, or very small, white peas. After being shaped and rolled into small balls, the semolina pearls are toasted in an open-flame oven. This distinguishes the couscous from most pasta, which is dried but not toasted. Toasting lends a distinctive, nutty flavor and particularly satisfying mouth-feel, and it also seals in the starch and reinforces the exterior, allowing the pearls to absorb liquid without falling apart. This is why pearl couscous is ideal for saucy preparations whatever the sauce, the couscous absorbs the flavor beautifully, and the sauce clings to every tiny pearl. Pearl couscous is very easy to prepare; you can simply add it to boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes. Once it is ready, add sauce as you would any pasta, or use it as a delicious bed for grilled or roasted fish, meat or chicken. Try it in your favorite pasta salad. Pasta salads are often made with larger pasta shapes that dominate the dish with their starchy texture. But pasta salad made with pearl couscous allows every ingredient to shine. Each forkful is a perfect balance of soft, flavorful pasta and the delicious ingredients you have chosen for the salad. Try it "risotto style." Unlike risotto, you do not have to stand over the couscous adding simmering stock every few minutes. Simply sauté aromatics (like onions and garlic) in olive oil, add the couscous and stir well to coat, and then add broth or stock. Cook, allowing the couscous time to simmer and absorb the liquid, and when it has, add vegetables, herbs and seasonings as desired. This risotto-style couscous is simply sensational made with fresh basil and summer tomatoes; sprinkle some feta cheese on top and serve with grilled marinated lamb or chicken.