Use 1½ cups of water for each cup of dry couscous. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.

Add ½ tsp. salt to the water. If you want a little extra moisture, add s little olive oil or butter.

Pour 1 cup of couscous into the boiling water. Stir it just once with a spoon, then cover it with a lid and take it off the heat. Let the couscous steam for five minutes.

Couscous grains have a tendency to stick together while they cook, so fluff the grains with a fork. Before serving, stir in any flavorful stuff you like, like lemon zest or chopped scallions.