Algerian Couscous

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Description

This recipe is made with mutton and chicken, but you can easily change the meats for lamb and/or merguez. I make this often and my family loves it!

Ingredients

  • ΒΌ cup olive oil, or more as needed, divided
  • 8 mutton chops, fat removed
  • 4 chicken drumsticks
  • 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 onions, quartered
  • water to cover
  • 2 tablespoons ground turmeric
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 3 potatoes, cut into chunks
  • 3 turnips, cut into chunks
  • 3 carrots, sliced lengthwise and cut into chunks
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons ras el hanout
  • 1 (7 ounce) can chickpeas, drained
  • 2 zucchini, sliced lengthwise and cut into chunks
  • 5 sprigs cilantro, chopped
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 cups couscous
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 tablespoons harissa

Instructions

  1. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season mutton chops and chicken drumsticks with salt and pepper; cook in batches with onions in the hot oil until browned
  2. about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate.
  3. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release browned bits. Return mutton chops and chicken to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover; add turmeric
  4. cumin
  5. and coriander. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer for 20 minutes.
  6. Stir potatoes
  7. turnips
  8. and carrots into the pot. Simmer
  9. covered
  10. until vegetables start to soften
  11. about 10 minutes. Mix in tomato paste and ras el hanout; cook for 10 minutes. Stir in chickpeas
  12. zucchini
  13. and cilantro; continue cooking
  14. covered
  15. until zucchini is tender
  16. about 5 minutes.
  17. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; remove from heat and stir in couscous and butter. Cover saucepan and let stand until water is absorbed completely
  18. 5 to 10 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Transfer to a serving dish.
  19. Ladle 2 scoops of cooking liquid into a bowl; mix in harissa until smooth.
  20. Scoop vegetables onto a serving plate. Scoop mutton and chicken onto a separate plate. Serve alongside couscous
  21. harissa sauce
  22. and remaining cooking liquid in the pot.

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 7 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 42 mins

Servings: 10

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