North African Couscous aux Sept Légumes
'Couscous with seven vegetables' is a traditional dish in North African countries and much loved by its visitors. Saffron supports the rich flavor of plenty of fresh vegetables. Don't worry about the chopping! Luckily, the vegetables are used in a larger size for this dish. Couscous is also cooked with lamb or sheep. A typical topping is Tfaya, caramelized onions, raisins, and cinnamon. With Tfaya, arrange for a longer cooking time.
Ingredients
Shopping list
- 1 lb chicken pieces with skin or lamb or beef
- 10 oz couscous
- 1/2 small white cabbage quartered
- 0.5 lb pumpkin cut in 2-inch thick pieces
- 0.5 lb carrots cut in half
- 0.5 lb turnips or daikon cut in 8 pieces
- 1/2 bunch parsley or cilantro or mixed finely chopped
You might have
- 1 medium onion halved and sliced
- olive oil
- salt
Optional vegetables as (partly) substitutes
- 1 large zucchini halved and cut lengthwise
- 2 tomato/es quartered
- 1 cup green beans
Optional
- 1 cup garbanzo or fava beans (from a can, rinsed)
- 3/4 cup raisins
Tfaya
- 4 medium onions halved and sliced
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1-2 tbsp sugar
Culinary Spice Kit
- Pouch [1] paprika, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, saffron [1]
- Pouch [2] cinnamon, cardamom
Instructions
Tfaya (optional)
- In a POT, melt butter.
- Add sliced onions, salt & Couscous Spices [2] to taste.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to detach the onions.
- Add 2 tbsp of water.
- Cover and cook for about 30 minutes until the onions are soft. Stir occasionally.
- Add raisins and sugar.
- Cover and cook for about 30 minutes until the onions are caramelized. Stir occasionally.
Stew
- In a large POT, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Fry meat and onions until the meat turns slightly brown on all sides.
- Add vegetables, salt to taste, and Couscous Spices [1].
- If you use zucchini, add them after 10 minutes.
- If you use lamb or beef, cook meat in water and spices until it's almost tender, before you add the vegetables.
- Add 2.5 cups of water.
- Cover POT and bring to boil.
- Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
- Add the herbs and optionally garbanzo beans and/or raisins and Couscous Spices [2] to taste. Mix well.
- Continue to cook for about 5-10 minutes until all ingredients are soft but not mashed.
Couscous
- Prepare couscous according to package instructions. [2]
Serve
- On a large plate, serve stew over couscous.
- Optionally, top with Tfaya.
- Enjoy!
Notes
[1] or 2 tsp Scheherazade spice blend or more to taste
[2] Cooking recipe for 1/4 cup of couscous:
- 3/8 cup water or broth
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- In a POT, combine water and olive oil.
- Cover. Bring to a boil. Add couscous. Stir.
- Remove the pot from the heat.
- Let it stand for about 5 minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork. Serve. Enjoy!