Golden Pilaf With Sizzling Merguez Food

GOLDEN PILAF WITH SIZZLING MERGUEZ

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the squash, a quarter of the sliced onions and the oil in a large roasting tin, season, then roast for 20 mins.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large pan and add the rest of the onions, plus some seasoning. Gently cook for 15 mins until tender and turning gold.
• Add the cinnamon and nutmeg to the onions. Toast for 1 min, then add the tomato paste and rice, and sizzle for a few mins. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. stir the rice, then cover and simmer for 10 mins. Take the pan off the heat and set aside for 10 mins more to let the rice become fluffy and light.
• Toss the squash and onions, then return to the oven for 20 mins. Put the merguez into the oven in a separate tin and roast for 20 mins. The squash will be tender by this point, and the onions very crisp (verging on burnt - in a good way!).
• When ready to serve, slice the sausages on an angle. Toss the squash, onions, sausage, mint and pistachios through the rice and serve with the sauce and a dollop of yogurt.

HOMEMADE MERGUEZ

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium-low heat, toast cumin, coriander and fennel seeds until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer warm spices to a spice grinder and grind well, or use a mortar and pestle and pound seeds.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Form lamb mixture into desired shape (1-inch-thick by 5-inch-long cigars make nice merguez, but fatter cylinders or patties will also work). Chill for up to 5 days, freeze for up to 3 months, or use immediately.
• Brush sausages with oil and grill or broil them until browned and cooked through. Or fry them in a little oil until well browned all over. Serve with more cilantro and harissa on the side, if desired.

GOLDEN PILAF

Steps:

• In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, and cook until soft. Stir in rice, salt, turmeric, bay leaf, cinnamon, and broth. Bring to a boil; cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
• Stir in raisins with a fork, and simmer until stock is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Set aside, covered, 5 minutes.

GOLDEN PILAF WITH APRICOTS, RAISINS AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Brown almonds in saucepan with olive oil over medium heat.
• Remove almonds and set aside.
• Add onion to the same saucepan and cook for 5 minutes.
• Stir in cinnamon, sazon, salt, cardamom and nutmeg.
• Cook for 1 minute.
• Add rice, cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
• Stir in water, milk, apricots and raisins.
• Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork, garnish with reserved almonds and serve.

MERGUEZ LAMB PATTIES WITH GOLDEN RAISIN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Toast fennel seeds in a small heavy skillet over medium heat until fragrant and a shade darker, about 1 minute. Grind to a fine powder in grinder.
• Mix together lamb, garlic, harissa, spices (including fennel), and 1/2 teaspoon salt thoroughly with your hands (do not overmix). Form into 4 oval patties (about 3/4 inch thick).
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then cook patties, turning once, about 9 minutes total for medium-rare.
• While patties cook, bring broth, raisins, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then stir in couscous. Let stand off heat, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork; stir in cilantro, zest, and salt to taste.
• Serve patties on couscous.

GOLDEN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Gently warm the stock with the saffron in a small saucepan while you proceed with the recipe.
• Put butter in a large deep skillet that can later be covered and turn the heat to medium.
• Add the onion and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is glossy and begins to brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the warm stock and stir. Bring to a boil, cook for 1 or 2 minutes, then reduce heat to low and cover.
• Cook for 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Turn the heat to the absolute minimum (if you have an electric stove turn off the heat) and let rest another 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and lemon juice.