MOROCCAN VEGETABLE COUSCOUS WITH LAMB SHANKS

Steps:

• In a saucepan cover chickpeas with water and cook, covered, until tender.
• Drain, cool and remove skins.
• In bottom of a Couscoussier (or double stock pot w/steamer), preheat 5 tablespoons of butter and oil over medium heat until hot.
• Add lamb, salt, spices, onions, herb sprigs and tomatoes; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
• Add 3 quarts water and chickpeas; cover and simmer over low heat, 1 1/2 hours.
• Cut meat into chunks, discarding bones.
• Add carrots, turnips and quince to lamb broth and simmer 30 minutes.
• In a separate saucepan cover squash with broth from lamb stew and simmer until tender.
• To lamb broth add zucchini, chili pepper, and raisins.
• Top with colander containing couscous, cover and steam 20 minutes.
• Dot couscous with remaining butter during last 5 minutes of steaming.
• To serve, spoon couscous onto serving dish and toss with Ghee*, Smen** or butter.
• Spread out to form a large well in center.
• With a slotted spoon transfer meat and vegetables into well.
• Add drained squash.
• Strain broth, adjust seasoning to taste and moisten couscous and vegetables with broth.