Best Moroccan Couscous Recipes

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Stir in the cumin, ginger, cloves, cayenne, cardamom, coriander, and allspice; gently toast until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in oil and onion, cook until softened. Stir in the bell pepper, and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the raisins, salt, zest, and garbanzos.
• Pour in the chicken broth and orange juice; turn heat to high and bring to a boil. When the mixture is boiling, stir in the couscous and remove from heat; cover, and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and fold in chopped mint.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND PEARL COUSCOUS WITH MOROCCAN SPICES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, lime juice, olive oil, garlic and cumin. Season well with salt and pepper and stir together until the chicken is well coated in the marinade; set aside at room temperature for 25 to 30 minutes.
• In a deep, 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, heat the grapeseed or canola oil over medium-high. When it shimmers, lift the chicken out of the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip back into the bowl, then add the chicken to the skillet, skin-side down. Working in batches, if necessary, to avoid crowding the pan, cook until the chicken is well browned on both sides, about 6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside on a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium, add the leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up any brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pan. Stir in the harissa paste, turmeric and cinnamon, and cook until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Season well with salt.
• Add the couscous to the pan and stir until well coated in the spiced leek oil. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and add the chicken back to the pan, skin-side up, along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer until the couscous is al dente and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. If you're lucky, some of the couscous may slightly stick to the bottom of the pan, creating well-seasoned crispy bites.
• Remove from the heat and remove the lid. Scatter with the herbs, if using, and the lime zest, then serve from the pan.

SWEET AND NUTTY MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Pour the vegetable broth into a large saucepan, and bring to a boil. Add the butter, apricots, dates and raisins. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the couscous. Cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon and toasted almonds, and serve.

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saute pan, add the shallots and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the chicken stock, salt and pepper, raise the heat to high and bring the stock to a boil. Off the heat and add the couscous. Cover the pan and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Add the pignoli nuts and currants to the couscous, stir and serve.
• Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot with 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Skim the surface as needed. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander, discarding the chicken and vegetables, and chill. Discard the hardened fat, and then pack the broth in quart containers.

GRILLED LEMON CHICKEN AND MOROCCAN COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• For couscous:
• Bring chicken broth, 1 tablespoon oil, ginger, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin to boil in heavy large saucepan. Stir in couscous and remove from heat. Scatter raisins over, cover, and let stand until couscous softens, about 10 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork, breaking up any lumps with fingertips. Transfer couscous to large bowl. Add cucumber, red bell pepper, carrot, green beans, and lemon peel. Whisk remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and lemon juice in small bowl. Add to couscous; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• For chicken:
• Place 2 1/2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and seal bag, releasing any excess air; turn several times to coat. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Alternatively, chill 1 to 3 hours and bring to room temperature before continuing.
• Prepare barbecue (high heat). Brush grill rack with oil. Transfer chicken from bag to barbecue with some marinade still clinging and grill until slightly charred and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter and let rest 10 minutes. Stir 3/4 cup chopped cilantro into couscous. Sprinkle almonds over, if desired. Drizzle chicken with oil, sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup chopped cilantro over, and garnish with lemon wedges. Serve with couscous.

MOROCCAN BEEF KEBABS WITH CURRIED COUSCOUS, RAITA AND CHARMOULA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the couscous: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.Place the water in an ovenproof casserole. Whisk the curry, salt pepper into the water. Whisk the couscous into the water. Let the couscous stand for 10 minutes to absorb the water.
• Pour half of the olive oil into the couscous. Work the olive oil into the couscous by hand, rubbing the kernels to fluff the couscous break up any clumps, making sure that the couscous is evenly coated with the oil. Place the casserole into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove the casserole from the oven and pour the rest of the oil into the couscous. By hand or with a spoon, work the oil through the couscous, breaking up any clumps.
• For the raita: Place the yogurt, mint, cumin, salt and cucumbers in a bowl and stir to combine. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Refrigerate until time to use.
• For the vinaigrette: Place the oil, lemon juice, cilantro, parsley, garlic, cumin, paprika and cayenne in a bowl and stir to combine. Season the charmoula with salt and pepper.
• For the kebabs: Combine the beef, onions, powdered milk, cilantro, mint, ginger, cayenne, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine. Divide the mixture into 8 balls. Form each ball into a kebab cylinder about 3 inches long. Refrigerate the kebabs until ready to grill.
• In the meantime soak, wooden skewers in water. Heat the grill to high heat. Insert the skewers into the kebabs. Brush the kebabs with olive oil and grill until they are cooked, 34 minutes per side.
• To complete the dish, place a mound of couscous on a serving plate for each person. Place 2 kebabs on each plate. Garnish the plate with the raita and drizzle the charmoula on the kebabs. Serve with warm pita bread.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN COUSCOUS WITH DATES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Season the chicken, then cook for 10 mins or until browned on both sides. Remove and put in a large baking dish with the dry couscous.
• Heat the remaining oil in the pan, add the onions and garlic, and cook for 5 mins until softened. Add the zest and juice of 1 lemon along with the stock, cumin, cinnamon and dates, then bring to the boil.
• Pour the date mixture over the chicken and couscous, sprinkle over the almonds, cover with foil and bake for 20 mins. Serve sprinkled with the remaining zest and parsley.

MOROCCAN VEGETABLES WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot heat oil over medium high heat. Stir in the onion and cook for 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in spices and cook until aroma is released. Stir in carrots, potatoes and squash and toss to coat. Cook vegetables for 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and water. If necessary add enough water so that all the vegetables are submerged. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in zucchini and continue to cook for 20 more minutes. Stir in the chickpeas and season with salt and pepper, Tabasco and cilantro. Serve hot with couscous and warm pita bread.

MOROCCAN CHICKPEA AND VEGETABLE STEW WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium high heat.
• Add the zucchini, onion, carrot and garlic.
• Saute 5 minutes.
• (For a time-saver, use the matchstick carrots from the produce department) Stir in the broth, and the next 9 ingredients, and bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 8 minutes or until tender.
• Stir occasionally.
• While the stew simmers, bring the 1 1/2 cups water to a boil, stir in couscous, and remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Serve stew over couscous.

VEGAN MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH RAISINS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onions and 1/2 of the garlic and cook until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in cumin, chile powder, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves, coriander, and ginger and cook for a few seconds. Add vegetable stock, tomatoes with their juice, pumpkin, sweet potato, celery, carrot, turnip, and green beans. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are just tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in remaining garlic, zucchini, and garbanzo beans. Cook until vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine couscous and raisins in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Mix well to moisten the couscous. Set aside to soak for 5 minutes.
• Ladle 2 cups of cooking liquid from the vegetable stew over the couscous mixture. Cover and set aside to soak for 10 minutes. Cover stew to keep warm.
• Ladle 1 1/4 cups hot cooking liquid from the vegetables into a bowl. Stir in cilantro, lemon juice, and cumin. Add chile sauce.
• Reheat stew if necessary. Fluff up couscous with a fork and mound on a platter or large bowl. Sprinkle with orange flower water and cinnamon. Ladle some of the vegetable stew over the couscous and serve the rest separately. Serve with the chile sauce mixture on the side.

SLOW-COOKER MOROCCAN BEEF STEW WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Stir the carrots, celery root and 1/2 cup prunes in a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Toss the beef with the ras el hanout, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Arrange on top of the vegetables. Whisk the chicken broth and tomato paste in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup and pour over the meat and vegetables. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender, 7 to 8 hours.
• About 15 minutes before serving, cook the couscous as the label directs.
• Skim the fat off the top of the stew with a ladle and discard. Stir in the harissa and season with salt and pepper. Divide the couscous and stew among bowls. Top with the remaining 1/4 cup prunes and cilantro; serve with more harissa.

MOROCCAN MUSHROOMS WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Fry the onion in the oil for 6 mins until softened. Add the cinnamon and cumin and cook for 1 min, stirring. Add the mushrooms, cook for 2 mins, then stir in the tomatoes, chickpeas and honey. Season and simmer for 7-8 mins.
• Meanwhile, mix the couscous with the dried apricots and some seasoning in a bowl. Pour over 250ml boiling water, stir to mix, then cover. Leave to stand for 7 mins or until softened. To serve, fluff up with a fork, stir in the parsley and top with the mushroom mixture. Great served with some green beans.

MOROCCAN VEGETABLE STEW WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.
• Add carrots, squash, and onion and cook until golden, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in garbanzo beans, stewed tomatoes, prunes, cinnamon, salt, crushed red pepper, and 1 and 1/2 cups water.
• Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes or until all vegetables are tender.
• Meanwhile, prepare couscous as label directs, but use vegetable broth in place of the water called for on label.
• Stir cilantro into stew.
• Spoon stew over couscous to serve.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the red onions and carrots; cook until the onions soften slightly, about 4 minutes. Add the ras el hanout, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir to coat the vegetables. Add 3 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until the carrots are tender, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the couscous as the label directs. Puree 1 3/4 cups cilantro, 2 tablespoons water and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a food processor. Fluff the couscous and stir in the cilantro paste. Cover to keep warm.
• Uncover the vegetables and stir in the chicken and raisins. Continue cooking over medium-high heat until the raisins are plump, about 5 minutes. Stir in the honey and the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro. Serve over the couscous; top with the almonds.

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan, combine 1 1/4 cups water with cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, salt, raisins and butter; bring to a boil.
• Stir in couscous; remove from heat.
• Add pine nuts, then cover.
• Let stand 5 minutes.
• Using a fork, fluff couscous and place in a serving bowl.

COUSCOUS WITH MOROCCAN SPICES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a non stick pan and cook the chopped onion and garlic in it till the onion is soft and translucent.
• Stir in the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne and paprika.
• Continue stirring over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then add vegetable broth, tomato puree and currants.
• Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from heat and stir in fresh lemon (or lime) juice to your taste.
• If not using immediately and planning to reheat before serving, wait to add citrus juice at the last minute.
• To cook the couscous, heat the broth, water, butter and salt together in a medium skillet till the liquid boils.
• Reduce to a simmer, add the couscous, cover the skillet tightly and leave on the lowest heat for 5 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat an leave it covered for another couple of minutes before fluffing with a fork.
• (If using instant couscous, check package directions - you may not need to keep it on heat after boiling, but just cover and wait till liquid is absorbed - just see if liquid amounts match what is mentioned on the package).

MOROCCAN CHICKEN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine chicken, carrots, onions, tomatoes, chickpeas, stock, water, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Add zucchini, and cook until chicken is cooked through, yet still tender, about 15 minutes more.
• Serve couscous in bowls. Spoon chicken, vegetables, and broth on top.

MOROCCAN TOMATO & CHICKPEA SOUP WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Tip the couscous into a bowl, season with salt and pepper and stir through 1 tbsp of the oil. Pour over enough hot stock just to cover and cover the bowl with cling film and set aside.
• Heat the rest of the oil in a saucepan and cook the onion and carrot gently for 8 mins until softened. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 2 mins more then stir in the ras el hanout and harissa and cook for another minute. Pour in the tomatoes and stock and give everything a good stir. Season, add the chickpeas and simmer everything gently for 20 mins until thickened slightly then squeeze over the lemon.
• Uncover the couscous and fluff up with a fork. Spoon the soup into bowls, top each with a mound of couscous, scatter with coriander and serve with extra harissa for those who want it.

ISRAELI MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; saute onion until golden. Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Stir in carrots, turnips and sweet potato. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add zucchini and red bell pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in garbanzo beans, tomato sauce, cinnamon, turmeric, saffron and curry powder. Simmer until heated through.
• Meanwhile, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 to 7 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve with vegetables on top.

MOROCCAN LAMB KEBABS WITH GOLDEN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Whisk first 9 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Transfer 1/2 cup marinade to small bowl; cover, chill, and reserve as basting sauce. Add lamb to remaining marinade in medium bowl; toss to coat. Marinate 2 hours at room temperature or cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Remove lamb from marinade. Thread lamb cubes onto 8 skewers, dividing equally. Thread apricots and onion chunks alternately on remaining 8 skewers. Brush all skewers with some of reserved 1/2 cup marinade. Sprinkle onion-apricot skewers with salt and pepper. Grill onion-apricot skewers until onions soften and begin to brown, occasionally turning and basting with marinade and moving skewers to cooler part of barbecue if necessary to keep apricots from burning, about 10 minutes. Grill lamb to desired doneness, turning occasionally, about 8 minutes for medium-rare.
• Mound Golden Couscous on platter. Top with skewers and serve.