Couscous With Mixed Vegetables And Lamb Recipes

LAMB AND VEGETABLE RICE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• I use a couscousierre to make this dish. The directions will be written for this cooking method.
• Peel and quarter all of your vegetables. You can leave the skin on the zucchini and squash if you like.
• In the bottom of the couscousierre, add the lamb, potato, sweet potato, carrots, parsnips, tomato, serano pepper, squash and onion.
• Add enough liquid (water or broth) to cover the vegetables.
• Mix in all of the spices, and drop in the parsley bouquet.
• Turn the stove on medium high heat until it boils, and then reduce the heat to medium-low.
• Before steaming the couscous for the first time, spread the grains out in a large bowl and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt water. Separate the grains with your fingers as much as possible. You may need to add more water, they really should be quite damp but not dripping liquid.
• Transfer the couscous to the top of the couscousierre and turn the stove temperature to high. Cover the top of the pot with a lid and leave alone for about 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, check the grains. If they feel dry then remove and pour back into the bowl you originally used. Add more of the salt water and continue the process the same way you did the first time, taking care to separate the grains as much as possible.
• Just as with traditional couscous you will steam and wet the grains 3 times.
• Before the third steaming, add the zucchini and chickpeas to the bottom. At this time check the liquid levels and add more if it is getting low.
• When the final steaming is complete, remove the top of the couscousierre and dump the grains onto a large serving plate. Separate the grains as much as possible.
• Use a large slotted spoon to remove the meat and vegetables and arrange on top of the couscous.
• Pour 1/2 of the remaining liquid over the top of the dish.
• Place the remaining liquid into smaller bowls so that those eating can add extra liquid to their liking.
• Serve with large spoons for eating!

ONE-PAN LAMB & COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Rub the lamb with half the harissa paste. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the lamb for 3 mins on each side for medium-rare, or a little longer for well-done. Lift the meat out of the pan and tip in the remaining harissa, the dried fruit and nuts, couscous and chickpeas, then stir to coat in the paste. Take the pan off the heat and pour in the stock. Stir briefly, return the lamb to the pan and cover with a lid or tightly-fitting foil for 10 mins until the couscous has absorbed all the liquid.
• Fluff up the couscous with a fork, season to taste and fold the mint leaves through to serve.

COUSCOUS WITH VEGETABLES AND LAMB

Steps:

• Place the lamb, onion, ginger and turmeric in the bottom of a couscoussier or a large pot that can be fitted with a steamer. Add the butter or oil, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.
• Add 12 cups water, the tomatoes, saffron, cinnamon sticks and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, for an hour.
• While the lamb mixture is cooking, place the couscous in a bowl. Gradually stir in 4 cups water, then drain. Spread the moistened couscous in a large flat pan or dish with sides. Allow the moist couscous to sit 10 to 15 minutes, then break up any lumps with a fork or your fingers.
• Remove the lid from the couscoussier or pot and place the perforated section or the steamer on top. Take a length of cheesecloth or other cloth, moisten it and fit it tightly around the seam between the two parts of the pot, to prevent steam from escaping. Spoon half the couscous into the top section and when the steam starts rising through it, add the remaining couscous. Steam, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Remove the top of the couscoussier and replace the cover on the bottom pot. Dump the steamed couscous back into the flat pan. Allow it to cool a few minutes, then gradually sprinkle it with a cup of cold water and season it with about 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste. Using your fingers, gently work the couscous to break up any lumps. Spread it evenly and allow it dry for up to an hour.
• Add the turnips, carrots and raisins to the pot. Tie the parsley and coriander together, and add them. Simmer, covered, for 45 minutes.
• After about 2 hours' cooking, the lamb should be tender. Cut the zucchini in half crosswise and cut each piece in half lengthwise. Add the zucchini to the pot, and follow with the pumpkin. Drain the chick peas, and add them. Check the seasonings in the pot. If necessary, add a little more water, enough to keep the ingredients covered with liquid.
• Replace the steamer top on the pot and wrap it again with the cloth. Rake the couscous once more, then return half of it to the steamer. When the steam begins to rise, add the remaining couscous. Steam, uncovered, 15 minutes. The couscous should be light, fluffy and tender.
• To serve, spoon half the couscous onto a large round platter. Make a well in the center. With a slotted spoon remove the pieces of lamb from the pot and pile them in the center. Top them with some of the vegetables. Mound the rest of the couscous over these ingredients. Then, place the remaining vegetables around the couscous and on top of it. Discard the parsley and coriander.
• Reheat the broth briefly, and spoon it into 1 or 2 bowls. Serve the couscous with the broth on the side and, if desired, hot pepper sauce.

SPICY LAMB WITH WARM COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium. Tip the couscous, chickpeas and lemon zest into a large bowl and pour over the hot stock. Cover with cling film and leave to stand for 10 mins, until all the stock has been absorbed.
• Smear 2 tsp harissa paste over the lamb chops, season to taste, then grill for 3-4 mins each side until crisp outside and medium rare in the middle. Cover, then rest for a few mins. Mix the remaining harissa into the yogurt, then season to taste.
• Fold the rocket through the warm couscous, breaking up any clumps with a fork. Serve with the chops and a drizzle of harrissa and yogurt dressing.

LAMB CHOPS WITH FRUITY COUSCOUS & MINT

Steps:

• Place the lamb in a bowl. Sprinkle over the paprika, half the onion, 1 tbsp vinegar and ½ tbsp oil. Season, then set aside.
• To make the couscous, boil the kettle and tip the couscous into a heatproof bowl. Stir in the pine nuts, dates, lemon zest and half the juice. Pour over 140ml just-boiled water, push the coucous to the sides of the bowl, cover, then leave to stand for 10 mins.
• Heat grill to high. Lift the lamb out of its marinade, grill for 2-3 mins on each side, then rest, wrapped in foil, for 10 mins. Stir half the chopped herbs and some seasoning into the couscous, then add the remaining lemon juice to taste. Mix together the remaining herbs, red onion, vinegar, oil and seasoning to make a herby vinaigrette. Serve the lamb and couscous with the vinaigrette.

MOROCCAN BRAISED LAMB WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• The day before serving, season the meat heavily with salt and pepper, and sear it in a frying pan with one tablespoon of the oil. Then preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Put the meat in a pot, add a little water, and braise, covered, for about 2 hours, or until tender. Set aside to cool, and then refrigerate overnight.
• Also the day before serving, heat the remaining oil in another pot, and sauté the leek and the onions. When the onions are translucent, add the turnips, carrots, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, ras el hanout, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and garlic. Cover the vegetables and spices with water, and simmer, covered, until the carrots are tender.
• The next day, cut the lamb into 2-inch chunks, and put it in the pot with the vegetables. Add the zucchini. Simmer slowly until the zucchini is just cooked but still bright green. Adjust seasonings, and stir in the harissa sauce. (I also serve more at the table, so that people can adjust the heat to their taste.)
• Stir together the harissa, couscous broth, salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, cinnamon, and Spanish pepper in a small bowl. Serve with the couscous.

SLOW ROAST RAS EL HANOUT LAMB & COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Using a pestle and mortar or a mini chopper, mash or chop the garlic with a generous pinch of salt, then add the lemon juice, ras el hanout spice mix and olive oil, then pound or chop to a rough paste. Use a small knife to make small incisions all over the lamb. Sit the lamb in a large, shallow casserole dish or deep roasting tin, then rub the paste all over the lamb and into the cuts. Leave at room temperature for 1 hr, or better still cover and chill overnight.
• When ready to cook, heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Scatter the onion wedges around the lamb, then cover the dish with a lid or tightly with foil and roast for 3 hrs. Remove from the oven and uncover. Stir the onions and baste the lamb in the juices, then turn the oven up to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and continue to roast the lamb, uncovered, for 25-30 mins until browned.
• Lift the lamb and onions onto a board to rest and put the kettle on. Stir the couscous and raisins into the lamb dish so they're coated in the roasting juices. Pour over enough boiling water from the kettle to just cover the couscous, then cover the dish and leave for 5 mins. Uncover and fluff the couscous up with a wooden spoon, then stir through the chickpeas, chopped herbs and preserved lemon or lemon juice, and season to taste. Bring the lamb, onions and the couscous to the table to serve.

GARLICKY LAMB WITH PEPPERS & COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Put the kettle on to boil and tip both packets of couscous into a heatproof bowl. Melt the garlic butter in a frying pan over a medium heat with a tablespoon of the oil. Add the lamb steaks and fry for 4 minutes on each side. Pour 400ml/14fl oz boiling water over the couscous, stir in the remaining oil and set aside to absorb.
• Tip the peppers and olives into the pan with the lamb. Roughly chop the herbs, add and continue cooking until the lamb is cooked. Squeeze in the lemon juice, season.
• Toss the almonds into the couscous and spoon on to serving plates. Top with the lamb, peppers, olives and juices, and serve.