Moroccan couscous

 

Moroccan couscous is a traditional North African dish that is made with steamed semolina flour and is often served with a variety of vegetables and meat. Here is a simple recipe that you can try at home:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup semolina flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
  • 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the semolina flour, salt, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, and paprika. Stir to combine.
  2. Add the olive oil to the bowl and use your hands to rub the oil into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Gradually add the water to the bowl, mixing with your hands until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and shape into balls.
  4. Place each ball of dough on a piece of cheesecloth. Roll the balls into thin rounds. Stack the rounds and wrap tightly in the cheesecloth.
  5. Fill a large saucepan with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Place a steamer basket in the saucepan and arrange the wrapped balls of dough on top. Cover and steam for 15 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  7. Add the carrots, zucchini, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, raisins, apricots, and broth to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
  8. To serve, unwrap the steamed couscous and fluff with a fork. Serve the vegetable mixture over the couscous, garnished with fresh parsley, if desired.

Enjoy your delicious and flavorful Moroccan couscous

 

The best couscous restaurants in Marrakech

 

Marrakech is a city in Morocco renowned for its rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine, including the traditional dish of couscous. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Marrakech that serve couscous:

  1. Dar Moha: Dar Moha is a fine-dining restaurant located in Marrakech, known for its traditional Moroccan cuisine, including couscous. They use locally sourced ingredients to create authentic and delicious dishes.
  2. La Sultana Marrakech: La Sultana is a luxurious riad-style restaurant that serves a variety of traditional Moroccan dishes, including couscous. Their couscous is known for its unique and flavorful taste, and they use high-quality ingredients to ensure each dish is of the highest quality.
  3. Chez Yassine: Chez Yassine is a family-run restaurant that serves traditional Moroccan cuisine, including couscous. They use traditional cooking methods and locally sourced ingredients to create authentic and delicious dishes.
  4. Le Foundouk: Le Foundouk is a popular restaurant in Marrakech that serves a variety of traditional Moroccan dishes, including couscous. Their couscous is known for its light and fluffy texture and delicious flavor, and they use high-quality ingredients to ensure each dish is of the highest quality.

These are just a few of the many restaurants in Marrakech that serve couscous. When visiting the city, be sure to try a few different restaurants to experience the different variations of this delicious dish