Middle Eastern Sweet Couscous Food

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 392F / 200C.Add the butternut squash, red onions and pepper to a large baking tray. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over 1 and a half tablespoons of olive oil.Toss the vegetables then bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes remove the tray from the oven then add the zucchini/courgette. Toss all the vegetables together then return the tray to the oven and bake for a further 20 minutes. The vegetables should be soft and slightly charred on the edges.
• While the veggies are roasting, make the couscous.
• Add the couscous to a large bowl, pour in the vegetable stock, stir, then cover the bowl with cling film or something similar. Leave for 10 minutes
• While the couscous is doing its magic and the veggies are roasting, make the dressing.Add all the spices, lemon zest and lemon juice to a bowl, whisk in the 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Set aside until you are ready to use it.
• When the couscous is ready, use a fork and scrape the couscous to loosen it up. It should be nice and fluffy.
• Now add the chickpeas and the dressing to the couscous, stir well.
• Add the veggies and the chopped apricots and stir again.
• Finally, add the herbs and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with blanched almond slivers and pomegranate arils/seeds.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUSCOUS WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add the raisins, garlic, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the couscous to the saucepan, along with the 2 cups of boiling water and the salt. Stir once with a fork, cover tightly, and remove from the heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir with a fork before serving to fluff the couscous and combine the other ingredients. (This recipe can be made up to a day ahead and reheated over very low heat or in a microwave oven.)

SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cranberries, apricots, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid until the couscous has absorbed all of the cooking liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Using a fork, fluff the couscous to break up any lumps. Add the almonds and hazelnuts and toss. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet until completely cooled, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the couscous to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
• Serving Suggestion: Drizzle the couscous with 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture.

MESFOUF QSENTENA - SWEET COUSCOUS WITH DATES & NUTS

Steps:

• Place the cooked couscous in a large bowl & mix in the salt.
• De-stone the dates & roughly chop them. Chop the walnuts into relatively small pieces (about the size of a pea).
• Starting with 80g of each of the butter & the ghee, mix them into the couscous - the best way to do this is with your hands, Rub the couscous between your fingertips & palms until the grains are evenly coated.
• Set aside 2 tbsp of the dates & of the walnuts, mix the remainder into to the couscous & mix well until evenly distributed.
• Taste & add more butter or ghee if desired.
• Transfer the couscous to a large serving bowl & decorate with the reserved dates & walnuts. Sprinkle a little sugar over the top of the couscous & serve.
• Allow people to add their own sugar to taste.

MAGHREBI SWEET COUSCOUS (SEFFA)

Steps:

• 1. Pour the boiling water over the couscous and salt, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. (If using regular couscous, after soaking, toss with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, place in a colander, and steam over boiling water, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.) Stir to fluff.
• 2. Stir the sugar and cinnamon into the butter. Pour over the couscous and toss to coat. Gradually add enough milk to moisten the couscous.
• 3. Mound the couscous on a large platter and sprinkle with the additional cinnamon. Or for individual servings, pack into custard cups and invert onto serving plates.
• VARIATIONS
• Couscous Hillo (Moroccan Fruited Couscous):
• Add 3/4 cup raisins, 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates, 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots, 3/4 cup chopped blanched almonds, and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or 1/3 cup pine nuts.
• Couscous de Cérémonie:
• Mounded couscous is featured on special occasions, such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. Pack half of the couscous mixture into a large bowl, sprinkle with 2/3 cup ground toasted blanched almonds, top with the remaining couscous, invert onto a serving platter, and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Garnish with datils rellenos.