North African Couscous Salad Food

TRADITIONAL NORTH AFRICAN COUSCOUS (THE REAL WAY!)

Steps:

• Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic & place it in a large heavy bottomed pan with the meat or chicken, ras el hanout & a little olive oil. Fry gently to seal the meat/chicken. I use my pressure cooker pr large cast iron casserole for this.
• Chop the carrot, parsnip and courgette into 6ths. Cut the potato into 1/4's and roughly chop the swede. Chop khourchef or celery into roughly same size as carrot. (Peel the carrots, potato, parsnip and swede).
• Add the vegetables to the meat along with 1L of water and turn up heat so they begin simmering. If using the chilli add it now, along with salt and pepper. If cooking in a regular pan then cook for 40 minutes like this. If using the pressure cooker as I do then 20 minutes will be enough.
• Add the tomatoes, chick peas and dried mint and 1/2L more water or enough to create a 'stew' consistency.
• Return to heat and cook in pan for further 30 minutes and if using pressure cooker then cook on med to high for a further 25 minutes.
• Take a 500g pack of medium couscous and pour into a gas'a if you have one. If not find the biggest bowl you have. Pick out any 'bits' and sprinkle water - about 50mls and a tsp of salt over the couscous and using your hand rub 1/2 tsp of oil through the couscous to stop it sticking. Fill a couscousier or steamer half full with the couscous (as it swells).
• When you 1st notice steam coming from the couscous, count 10 minutes. After that remove from the steamer, place in gas'a and use your hands to 'open' the couscous (rub it together between hands to remove clumps). This is very hot and you need to keep wetting you hand with cold water and sprinkling a little on the couscous.
• Return to steamer when thoroughly opened. Repeat process of steaming and opening twice more.
• Finally remove from steamer and place back in gas'a. Open for final time and rub a tbsp of ghee or smen into the couscous along with 2tsp of butter or margarine. Add salt to taste.
• Serve the couscous in the gas'a with sauce on top as traditional style or in tagine etc. Usually we place the meat/chicken in place - 1 for each guest and decorate the couscous with the veg before ladling some of the sauce over the top.
• If you used the chilli, put it on a plate and let people help themselves to it!

NORTH AFRICAN COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Add the first 14 ingredients to a non-reactive saucepan.
• Cover pan and bring to a boil; lower heat, and simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are just tender.
• Add in the bell pepper and cook for 2 more minutes.
• Take pan off of burner and add in the peas.
• Add in couscous; stir.
• Cover and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Add in olives; fluff couscous with a fork to mix.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spoon onto individual plates; sprinkle with pine nuts and currants.

AFRICAN COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• To toast slivered almonds, cook on a baking sheet at 375°F for 5 to 10 minutes, checking and stirring frequently. Or, cook in a small skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown.
• Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in couscous, butter and cinnamon; cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let cool.
• Place remaining salad ingredients in a bowl; drizzle with dressing and toss well to coat.
• Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
• Tangy Orange Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.

CORIANDER CHICKPEA AND COUSCOUS SALAD, NORTH AFRICA

Steps:

• Place the couscous, drained chick peas, oils, garlic, spring onion and chopped lemon or lemon juice in a large heatproof bowl or jug.
• Pour boiling water the mix and stir together with a fork. The couscous will absorb the liquids quite quickly.
• Add the fresh coriander, reserving a little as a garnish if you wish, and season.
• If it is to be eaten hot, this salad should be made just before it is served as it cools quickly. (If necessary, it can be briefly reheated in a microwave, but may need a little more water if this is done although it is best not made too far in advance.) Alternatively it can be left to cool and is ideal served cold, perhaps as part of a buffet.
• Sprinkle with reserved coriander, or a few individual leaves and a little sumac powder (optional) or ground black pepper.

NORTH AFRICAN COUSCOUS WITH TEMPEH

Steps:

• Mix 1/3 cup water, soy sauce, honey, 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder, garlic, lemon juice, and liquid smoke together in a bowl until marinade is smooth; add tempeh and turn to coat evenly. Marinate tempeh, turning frequently, for 20 minutes.
• Combine vegetable broth, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 1/2 tablespoons curry powder, and salt in a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid; bring to a boil. Add couscous, cover saucepan, and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; add tempeh and marinade. Cook tempeh until browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn and brown the other side, about 5 minutes more. Remove tempeh from skillet.
• Pour remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil into the same skillet; cook and stir onion until fragrant and brown, about 4 minutes. Add chickpeas and water; cook and stir using a wooden spoon to break up brown bits of food on the skillet, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
• Fold couscous into the onion mixture; add tempeh. Sprinkle mint over couscous; cook and stir until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.