Algerian Couscous Recipes

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!

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season mutton chops and chicken drumsticks with salt and pepper; cook in batches with onions in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate.
• Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release browned bits. Return mutton chops and chicken to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover; add turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir potatoes, turnips, and carrots into the pot. Simmer, covered, until vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes. Mix in tomato paste and ras el hanout; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in chickpeas, zucchini, and cilantro; continue cooking, covered, until zucchini is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; remove from heat and stir in couscous and butter. Cover saucepan and let stand until water is absorbed completely, 5 to 10 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Transfer to a serving dish.
• Ladle 2 scoops of cooking liquid into a bowl; mix in harissa until smooth.
• Scoop vegetables onto a serving plate. Scoop mutton and chicken onto a separate plate. Serve alongside couscous, harissa sauce, and remaining cooking liquid in the pot.

Steps:

• Saute onion in vegetable stock over med. low heat until translucent.
• Add all spices and cook for a few more minutes, stirring as needed.
• Add tomato paste, stir and simmer 2 minutes.
• Cut the vegetables in large chunks and add all (not the beans) and a dash of cinnamon; add water to cover.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for an hour or so.
• (This can cook slowly for 2-3 hours, if desired.).
• Add the drained garbanzos about 5 minutes before you take the veggies off the heat.
• Put couscous in a bowl.
• Pour boiling water over couscous and wait about 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork. (Ratio of about 1 1/2:1 of water to couscous.).
• For added flavor, add some of the liquid from the veggie stew to the couscous in place of some of the water.
• Serve the stew over the couscous. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Slice eggplant crosswise, sprinkle with a little salt, toss in a colander, and let drain for 20 minutes; rinse and pat dry.
• Heat oil in a Dutch oven, over medium-low heat; add onions, carrot, peppers, eggplant, chicken, and lamb.
• Cover with water, bring to a boil, season with salt and pepper, cover, reduce heat and let simmer 45 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and green beans, cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the couscous: melt butter in a sauce pan over medium-low heat; cook the shallots until translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Add stock, season with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
• Stir in couscous, being careful that no clumps form, cover, remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes.
• Add artichokes and chickpeas to the stew snd heat through.
• To serve: Pile couscous in the center of a serving platter in a cone shape; spoon stew around couscous.