Recipe: Moroccan Couscous with Lamb and Vegetables

Moroccan Couscous with Lamb and Vegetables
Recipe courtesy Malek Badaa, shared on Calling All Cooks

2 quarts water (or beef broth) plus 2 cups to use during couscous procedure
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 large tomato, diced
4 lbs lamb shoulder or lamb shank, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 small bouquet parsley, approximately 1/2 cup
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp saffron
1/2 tsp ground ginger
Salt, to taste
1 TBS black pepper
24 ounces couscous
1 pound green and yellow zucchini cut in half lengthwise
1 pound baby carrots
1 pound potatoes, any kind, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 head cabbage, diced
1 pound peas, fresh or frozen
2 rutabagas, peeled and diced
2 large turnips, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 cup butter, softened

* Bay leaves and fresh thyme may also be added to the recipe
* 2 to 3 whole jalape os can also be added to the vegetables, then served separately

Put broth in the couscousiere pot, add the onions, tomatoes, meat, parsley, olive oil, saffron, ginger and salt and pepper. Boil on medium high heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Put the keskes on top of the pot and add couscous slowly. Let the couscous steam for 1/2 hour.

After steam starts coming up, take the couscous out of keskes and transfer into a large bowl (gsaa). Break up any clumping grains of couscous with wooden spoon, and cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup cold water on the couscous while it is in the bowl, to make the grains larger and soft. Return to heat and steam for another 30 minutes. Remove the couscous from the pot and transfer to the large bowl. Again, break up any clumps and sprinkle with 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of water. Remove the meat from the couscousiere, cover and set aside. Add vegetables to the couscousiere and return the couscous to the keske and place in the couscousiere. Cook the vegetables and the couscous for 30 to 45 minutes on medium high heat. After the vegetables and couscous are all fully cooked, remove the couscousiere from heat. Return the couscous to a large bowl and add butter. Place the couscous on a platter, forming a hole in the middle of the couscous. Place meat in the hole and top with vegetables. Put sauce around sides of the platter. Serve guests additional sauce in small bowls.