Tfaya Morrocan Couscous Sauce Recipes

TFAYA (MORROCAN COUSCOUS SAUCE)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, mix the 2 pounds sliced onions, prepared raisins, 4 tablespoons sugar or honey, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads.
• Add the 4 tablespoons butter and 1/2 cup water, cover, and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering for 30 minutes or longer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and golden. Add more water only if the liquids evaporate before the onions are cooked.
• Once the onions are cooked and richly colored, reduce the liquids to a thick syrup. Remove from heat.
• Refrigerate leftovers. Reheat prior to serving.

COUSCOUS TFAYA WITH CHICKEN AND MAJHOUL DATES

Steps:

• Pour the couscous in a large bowl, add salt, to taste, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1 cup lukewarm water, 4 tablespoons of the melted butter. Mix and let rest for 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
• Preheat a thick pot. Add olive oil and heat. Add Cornish hen or quail and brown for a few minutes. Add the chopped and julienned onion, parsley, remaining butter, spices, salt, and 2 cups water. Cook for 15 minutes.
• Add honey, garbanzo beans, raisins, and simmer for another 15 minutes. Add water as needed. Add the dates. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the dates are hot.
• Separate the couscous grains by rubbing both hands together. Make sure there are no lumps. Fill the bottom of the couscoussiere (or pot) with 1 1/2 gallons water. Bring to a boil. Put the couscoussiere (or fine-meshed sieve) on top. When the vapor comes up, pour the couscous in the top (sieve), and let it steam for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender and spongy.
• On a large platter, spread a 1-inch thick layer of couscous. Add some pieces of Cornish hen or quail around the middle. Then pour over the surface onions, raisins, and garbanzo beans.
• Garnish with dates, the roasted almonds, and the rest of the sauce. Serve hot.

FISH COUSCOUS W/ONION T'FAYA (ZWT-9 - MOROCCO)

Steps:

• Place raisins in a sml bowl & cover w/warm water. Let soak for 10 min, drain & set aside.
• Crush saffron & salt together in a mortar & pestle until a coarse powder forms. (Alternatively, place saffron & salt on a cutting board & use the flat side of a chef's knife to grind into a coarse powder.) Then combine w/ginger, turmeric, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon & pepper in a sml bowl.
• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil & butter in a Dutch oven over med-heat. Add the spice mixture & cook (stirring) until the mixture starts to foam. Add onions, sugar & the plumped raisins. Cook (stirring occ) until the onions turn light brown (20-25 min). Add 1 cup broth & nestle fish into the onion mixture. Cover & cook until the fish is flaky (8-10 min). Remove from the heat & season w/pepper. Cover & set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat canola oil in a sml skillet over med-high heat. Add almonds & cook (stirring) until just beginning to turn golden (about 1 min). Drain on paper towels.
• Bring the remaining 1 1/3 cups broth & the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil to a boil in a sml saucepan. Add couscous in a stream. Stir once, cover, remove from heat, let stand 5 min & fluff w/a fork.
• To serve: Mound the couscous on a shallow platter. Top w/the fish & onion t'faya & sprinkle the almonds on top.
• "INGREDIENT NOTE: The dried stigma from saffron adds flavor & a golden color to a variety of Middle Eastern, African & European foods. Find it in the spice section of supermarkets, gourmet shops & at tienda.com. It will keep in an airtight container for several yrs.".

TFAYA BAKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Soak the raisins in hot water for 5 minutes or until softened; drain and transfer to a deep roasting pan.
• Make the marinade: Transfer the stock, olive oil, honey, garlic, turmeric, ginger, salt, black pepper and cinnamon to a large bowl; mix until smooth and well combined.
• Add the onions to the roasting pan and pour approximately half of the marinade over the onions and raisins. Use your hands or tongs to combine.
• Transfer the chicken legs to the large bowl with the remaining marinade and use your hands or tongs to make sure that the chicken is thoroughly coated. Place the chicken legs on top of the onion mixture, skin-side up, and pour any remaining marinade over the chicken.
• Bake in the oven for 35 minutes. Remove the roasting pan from the oven and scatter the almonds on top. Return to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and golden and the almonds are nicely toasted. Serve immediately, with a side of couscous or bread.

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.