Couscous (National Dish of North Africa/Tunisis/Morocco/Algeria/Libya/Mauritania) الكسكس

Couscous is a National dish of North Africa (Tunisia/Libya/Algeria/Morocco/Mauritania). It is popular in France and other European countries also. It is also known as كسكسي in Egypt and Kuskus in UK and USA. One of my friend Sohail Iqbal while visiting France was first introduced by this dish and he asked me cook and share the recipe. But Couscous was not available in Karachi. I asked Saleem Abdullah Memon of Mersi Trading Est. Dubai to arrange it for me from Dubai. He did it and I cook it .
   http://yp.theemiratesnetwork.com/biz/United_Arab_Emirates/Dubai/Mersi_Trading_Est_Dubai_16696.html
Couscous is basically a pasta made with Semolina (Suji) and cooked in steam, served with meat or vegetable stews. 

Couscous with Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Recipe for Stew for Couscous:

• Chicken Cubes    1/2 kg
• Oil 1/2 cup
• Boiled Chickpea  1 cup
• Peas boiled 1 cup
• Tomatoes  chopped 3
• Onion quartered 3
• Ginger paste  1 teaspoon
• Garlic paste 1 teaspoon
• Carrots (optional)
• Potatoes (optional)
• Lemon juice 2 teaspoon
• Green Chillies  chopped for garnish2
• Fresh Coriander leaves  chopped for garnish
• Fresh Mint leaves for garnish
• Fresh Pomegranate seeds for garnish
• Salt to taste
• Red Chillies powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Red Chillies cutter 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Coriander powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Cinnamon powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Star aniseed   1
• Harrisa paste 1-2 teaspoon

Procedure:

• Heat oil in a pan, add ginger garlic pastes and fry for 2 minutes.
• Then add tomatoes, chicken and spices and fry for 5 minutes.
• Then cook on medium flame till chicken is tender.
• Now add onion, boiled chickpea, pea, lemon juice and cook for 5 more minutes on low flame.
• Garnish with fresh mint, coriander leaves and pomegranate seeds and remove from flame.
• Delicious Stew for Couscous is ready to serve.

Preparation of Couscous

 الكسكس

Ingredients:

• Couscous 2 cup
• Water 3 cup
• salt to taste

• Procedure

• Boil water with salt.
• Then add couscous wait for 5 minutes then fluff with the help of a fork.
• Couscous is ready.
• Place Couscous in a large plater pour over prepared chicken and vegetable stew.
• Enjoy the taste of North African Cuisine.

Note:

• Stew can be prepared with beef, mutton, fish , pulses and other vegetables of your choice.

Kuskus/Couscous

Bukhari Rice (Saudi Steamed Rice) ارز بخاري بالدجاج

Bukhari Rice is a most popular Steamed Rice dish of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most consumed dish in Saudi Arabia.  It is a very tasty dish cooked with meat or chicken.

سعودی عرب کی ڈش بخاری رائس

Ingredients:

• Rice 500-700g
• Chicken cut into 4 pieces 1 no.
• Oil 1 cup
• Tomatoes   chopped 2-3
• Onion chopped 2-3
• Carrot grated 2
• Lemon chopped 1

Ingredients to be added at steaming stage:

• Tomato paste 1 tablespoon 
• Raisins 1 tablespoon
• Pine nuts 1 tablespoon
• Almonds slivered 1 tablespoon

Powder spices:

• Salt to taste
• Red Chillies  powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Coriander powder 1 teaspoon
• Cumin powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Khoranjan powder 1 teaspoon

Whole spices:

• Cloves whole 10-12
• Cardamom green 6
• Cardamom brown 2
• Cinnamon sticks 3
• Black pepper whole 1 teaspoon
• Cumin whole 1 teaspoon
• Mace 2-3 pieces

Procedure:

• Wash and soak rice for 1/2 hour, drain and keep aside.
• Now in a pan fry onion in oil till golden brown.
• Add spices fry for 1 minute, then add tomatoes and fry for 2-3 minutes.
• Then add chicken and fry for 5 more minutes, then add carrot and fry for another 2 minutes.
• Cook on medium flame till chicken is tender. Add 1/4 cup water if desired.
• Take out Chicken pieces and keep aside.
• Add soaked rice and enough water, 1 inch above the rice level. (2-3 glass water).
• Continue to cook till rice is near to done.
• Sprinkle steaming ingredients on top. Then place chicken pieces and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
• Delicious Bukhari Rice are ready to serve.