Harissa Eggplant Puree And Couscous Food

ROASTED VEGETABLE COUSCOUS SALAD WITH HARISSA-STYLE DRESSING

Steps:

• First prepare the roasted vegetables: prepare the eggplant and zucchini ahead of time by cutting them into 1 inch (2.5 cm) dice, leaving the skins on. Then toss the dice in a level teaspoon of salt and pack them into a colander with a plate on top and a heavy weight on top of the plate. Leave them on one side for an hour so that some of the bitter juices drain out. After that, squeeze out any juices left, and dry the dice thoroughly in a clean cloth. Preheat the oven to gas mark 9, 475°F (240°C).
• Now arrange the eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, pepper, fennel and onion in the roasting pan or sheet pan, sprinkle with the crushed garlic, basil and olive oil, toss everything around in the oil to get a good coating and season with salt and pepper. Place the pan on the highest shelf of the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the vegetables are toasted brown at the edges.
• When the vegetables are done, remove them from the oven and stir in the chopped olives and the capers then remove them to a plate to cool.
• When you're ready to assemble the salad, first place the couscous in a large, heatproof bowl, then pour the boiling stock over it, add some salt and pepper, stir it with a fork, then leave on one side for 5 minutes, by which time it will have absorbed all the stock and softened.
• Meanwhile cut the cheese into sugar cube-sized pieces. Make up the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a bowl, then pour into a serving container. To serve the salad, place the couscous in a large, wide salad bowl and gently fork in the cubes of cheese along with the roasted vegetables. Next arrange the salad leaves on top and, just before serving, drizzle a little of the dressing over the top followed by a sprinkling of onion seeds and pass the rest of the dressing around separately.

HARISSA COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Tip couscous into a heatproof bowl. Add a spring onions, mint and cherry tomatoes.
• Pour over hot vegetable stock mixed with harissa. Stir and cover with a plate. Leave for 5 mins, then pour over olive oil and lemon juice and stir through.

VEGETABLE COUSCOUS WITH HARISSA

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a medium skillet until moderately hot but not smoking. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring until softened and just beginning to brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Heat remaining 1/4 cup olive oil in a large heavy pan until moderately hot, but not smoking. Add next seven ingredients. Stir in 1 tablespoon Ras El Hanout. Cook, covered over medium heat until partially cooked, about 10 minutes. Stir in 3 cups of vegetable stock.
• Continue cooking until the vegetables are tender but not over-done, 20 to 30 minutes. During the last 10 minutes of the cooking, stir in the reserved portobello mushrooms and the chickpeas. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover to keep warm.
• Rinse couscous in a sieve, add 2 tablespoons Ras el Hanout and salt, to taste. Let stand for 20 minutes, then separate the grains with your fingers.
• Bring remaining 2 cups of vegetable stock to a simmer. Add couscous and cook over medium heat to steam and heat through.
• To serve, mound couscous in the center of platter and surround with the vegetables. Garnish with mint leaves.
• Mix together thoroughly.
• In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast caraway, coriander and cumin seeds until very aromatic, about 2 to 3 minutes. Shake the pan often to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Grind to a fine powder in a spice grinder, coffee grinder, blender or with a mortar and pestle. Add garlic and salt and grind again until smooth. Add sweet paprika, red pepper flakes, mint leaves and olive oil and grind until the ingredients are well combined. The paste will be very thick and dry. Transfer paste to a small jar and cover with olive oil. Refrigerate for up to 6 months.

HARISSA

Steps:

• If you want spicy harissa, include the chiles' seeds; if not, slit them open to remove and discard the seeds. Tear the chiles into large pieces and place them in a medium bowl. Carefully pour 4 cups boiling water over chiles and set aside until softened, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the coriander and cumin seeds in a small skillet and cook over medium heat, swirling the pan often, until the spices are fragrant and lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the spices into a blender, add the oil, salt, garlic and lemon juice, and puree until smooth. Drain the chiles, reserving 1 cup of the soaking liquid (discard remaining liquid). Add the chiles and reserved liquid to the blender and puree on high until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Season the harissa with pepper and transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

HARISSA PORK WITH GLAZED CARROTS AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the couscous, and lightly toast, stirring until the butter is evenly distributed, about 1 minute. Stir in the raisins and 1 1/2 cups chicken broth. Bring the chicken broth to a simmer, then cover and remove from the heat. Let rest until the broth is completely absorbed, about 10 minutes. Gently fluff the couscous with a fork. Season with 2 teaspoons salt and fold in the parsley and almonds.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, lemon zest and juice, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons water and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring constantly, until a glaze has formed and coats the carrots, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish and rinse the skillet.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and heat the olive oil. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt and cook the shallots until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the rice vinegar, harissa, pork jus (if using), remaining 1/3 cup chicken broth, remaining 2 tablespoons honey and 1 teaspoon salt. Simmer and reduce until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Nestle the pork slices in the sauce, flipping to coat both sides. Let the pork warm through, about 5 minutes. Serve with the couscous and glazed carrots.