Can couscous be substituted for bulgur?

Couscous and bulgur are both Middle Eastern grains that are often used in pilafs, soups, and salads. However, they are not directly interchangeable.

Couscous is made from durum wheat that has been moistened, rolled into tiny balls, and then dried. It is a quick-cooking grain that can be ready in as little as 5 minutes. Couscous has a light, fluffy texture and a slightly nutty flavor.

Bulgur is made from whole wheat that has been parboiled, dried, and then cracked. It is a more chewy grain that takes longer to cook than couscous, about 15-20 minutes. Bulgur has a hearty, nutty flavor and a chewy texture.

In general, couscous can be substituted for bulgur in recipes that call for a fluffy grain. However, because bulgur has a more chewy texture, it may not be the best substitute in recipes that call for a grain that is more tender.

If you are substituting couscous for bulgur in a recipe, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Couscous will cook much more quickly than bulgur. You may also need to adjust the amount of liquid you add to the recipe, as couscous absorbs more liquid than bulgur.

Here are a few tips for substituting couscous for bulgur:

- Use couscous in recipes that call for a fluffy grain, such as pilafs, salads, and soups.

- Adjust the cooking time accordingly. Couscous will cook much more quickly than bulgur.

- Adjust the amount of liquid you add to the recipe, as couscous absorbs more liquid than bulgur.

- If you are unsure whether couscous will be a good substitute for bulgur in a particular recipe, test it out with a small amount first.