Right for the job

With this stainless-steel couscoussier, every puff of steam rises to the occasion: making fluffy couscous. That’s because the top chamber -- the colander into which you put the couscous grains once the liquid below is boiling -- fits snugly onto the pot to keep steam from escaping between the tiers. The ample pot is designed for simmering the stew (or boiling water) as the couscous grains cook above.

Stainless-steel couscoussier, $89.95 for 8-quart pot, $99.95 for 12-quart pot, at select Sur la Table stores and www.surlatable.com.

-- Betty Baboujon