Introduction
Moroccan couscous is a traditional dish that is prepared in most Moroccan households every Friday, to be eaten after Friday prayers. Families unite around the huge couscous dish once a week and enjoy the taste of tradition. Unlike the dehydrated, just-add-water couscous of European supermarkets, Moroccan couscous is steamed as many as three times for a fluffy, moist texture.
As with most traditional Moroccan recipes, the methods of preparation and ingredients differ from region to region, and from family to family.
In the southeast of Morocco, Amazigh people prepare couscous with kale which is abundantly available in this region. In the spring and summer months, rural communities cultivate kale and use it as a key ingredient for their Friday couscous.
In winter, it is the fava bean season and many families choose to include the bean as the special ingredient for their couscous. In the atlas region, women prepare couscous with pumpkin and zucchini and adding milk to the gravy before serving. Another lovely couscous recipe is “tefaya,” it is decorated with honey onions and raisins. While it is usually served at ceremonies and parties, many families choose to cook this type of couscous every Friday.
If you want to make vegetable and lamb couscous,
Here’s what you’ll need to make Moroccan Couscous
Utensils:
Cooking Pot
Ladle
Couscoussier Two Tier
Ingredients:
500 g of medium couscous
1 kg of lamb meat
4 carrots, peeled cut lengthwise
3 turnips, peeled and cut lengthwise
250g of fava beans, peeled
2 medium squares of pumpkin
Some roughly chopped cabbage
2 zucchinis
1 cup of chickpeas, tinned or soaked overnight
2 tomatoes, grated
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro and parsley
1 tablespoon of butter
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of ginger
Pinch of saffron threads
½ cup of olive oil
Enough water (about 3 liters)
Instructions:
In the couscous pot, put oil and onion, meat and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add grated tomatoes and chopped parsley and cilantro, stir, and let cook for another 5 minutes.
Add some grated pumpkin to give the gravy a good taste and make it thick. Add vegetables, spices, and water to cover the vegetables. Leave the pot on medium heat until boiling.
Meanwhile, prepare the couscous. Place couscous in a large plate or using Gasaa (Moroccan couscous plate). Sprinkle with 1/4 liter of water and separate the grains by gently rubbing them between and add two tablespoons of oil.
Place couscous inside the steamer and put it on the boiling couscous pot. The steam will rise from the couscous. Let couscous steam for 15 minutes and remove it into a large bowl, and separate the grains again by rubbing them gently between your palms or with a fork while. Sprinkle some cold water, separate the grains.
Return the couscous in the steamer to steam again for about 45 minutes. Decant the couscous into the large bowl and sprinkle some cold water, for the last time, and gently break all the lumps with a fork and let rest for 10 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons of oil, butter, and a pinch of salt to the couscous and mix well. Replace the couscous in the steamer and put it on the pot. Steam until the steam rises from the top for 5 minutes. The couscous is ready.
Now tip couscous onto a large dish or gasaa, add the meat in the middle, then place the vegetables decoratively on top of the couscous. Add sauce till it is soaked enough. Now it’s time to serve, enjoy with family and friends.
Making Moroccan vegetable couscous is not a simple process and will take some time and concentration, but the end result is worth it. Enjoy this delicious and traditional dish with your loved ones.
