Let's kick-off the Couscous series with the MOST famous couscous dish in Morocco: Couscous with 7 Vegetables, served EVERY Friday :-)
WRITTEN RECIPE:
INGREDIENTS
Couscous Ingredients:
- 500 grams dry couscous (not instant)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (or Moroccan smen)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Water
Meat Ingredients:
- 500 grams lamb or beef, cut into large pieces
- 1 tomato, grated and skin discarded
- 1 onion, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- A large pinch saffron threads
- A bouquet of fresh parsley and cilantro, tied together
- 2 cups dry chickpeas, soaked overnight
Vegetables:
- 3 carrots
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 2-3 turnips
- 2 zucchini
- 1/2 of a small cabbage
- 1-2 small sections of pumpkin
- 1 red chili pepper
- You can also use fresh fava beans, potatoes, or other vegetables of your choice.
RECIPE:
Step 1: Prep Vegetables
- Peel and cut the veggies
Step 2: Prepare Meat
- In the bottom of the couscous pot, combine the meat, olive oil, saffron, turmeric, ground ginger, pepper, and salt. Add the chopped onion, and mix. Brown the meat for a few minutes, then add the grated tomato and the fresh herbs.
- Cover the meat with water. Drain the chickpeas and add them to the rest of the ingredients.
- Cover the pot and let the meat cook for around 20 minutes and start preparing your couscous.
Step 3: Prepare Couscous
- Place the couscous in a large plate, I am using the Moroccan traditional couscous plate called Gasaa.
- Add some cold water, and work the couscous… lift the grains, rub them, give them some love and make sure they are all coated with water.
- place the couscous top over a plate, to minimize kitchen mess, and transfer the couscous in the couscous top. Don’t worry, the moist couscous grains wont fall through the holes… I promise.
Step 4: Steam Couscous - Round 1
- After cooking the meat for 20 minutes, place the couscous top over the couscous bottom. Seal both pots with a cheesecloth or foil, this way we don’t lose any steam.
- After 5 minutes of so, you will notice steam rising from the couscous. Now start your timer, and let the couscous steam for 15 minutes.
- Time’s up! Empty the couscous in the large plate, and gently break the couscous grains with a fork. We dont want any lumps.
- Add vegetable oil, and continue fluffing the couscous.
- Add a large pinch of salt. Mix.
- Now add a little bit of water, and continue fluffing.
- Let the couscous rest while you start cooking the veggies!
Step 5: Cook Root Vegetables
- Cook the root vegetables first: carrots, sweet potatoes, and turnip. These require more cooking time.
- Place them with the meat and add boiling water to cover it all.
Step 6: Steam Couscous - Round 2
- Transfer the couscous in the couscous top and place it back over the meat. Seal both pots.
- After 5 minutes of so, you will notice steam rising from the couscous. Now start your timer again, and let the couscous steam for 15 minutes.
- Time’s up! Empty the couscous in the large plate and fluff.
- Add a little bit of water and gently break all the lumps with a fork.
- Let the couscous rest for 5 minutes while you are cooking the other vegetables.
Step 7: Cook the Other Vegetables
- First let’s check on the root vegetables. My carrots still need a bit more cooking time… but the turnips and sweet potatoes are ready! It’s time to remove them from the pot and place them in a plate.
- Let’s add the other vegetables: zucchini, pumpkin, and cabbage.
Step 8: Steam Couscous - Round 3
- Transfer the couscous in the couscous top and place it back over the meat. Seal both pots.
- Let the couscous steam for 15 minutes or until done.
- Empty the couscous in the large plate, and fluff again with butter (or Moroccan Smen)!
Step 9: Check Meat & Vegetables
- Check the veggies and remove the ones that are ready out of the pot.
- Remove the herbs and discard.
- Check on the meat… mine still needs some cooking.
- Taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning: salt and pepper
- In my case, I will close the pot and let the meat cook a bit more.
- Time for all the veggies to come back to the pot.
Step 10: Plate Couscous
- First place the couscous grains in a dome shape.
- Pour some of the broth over the couscous grains.
- Place the meat in the center. Arrange the veggies around and on top of the couscous.
- In a separate bowl, pour the broth and serve on the side