Seven Vegetable Couscous
Let me tell you a secret: in our family, Friday isn't just a day; it's Couscous day! We steam seven seasonal vegetables to perfection over a rich broth of tender chicken and slow-simmered spices. Brought to us by our Berber ancestors, this dish is never eaten alone. It is the ultimate expression of our North African culinary heritage and deep-rooted Karam (hospitality).
Ingredients
- 500g Premium fine Couscous (semolina)
- 1 Whole Chicken, cut into pieces
- 3 Carrots, peeled and halved
- 2 Zucchini, halved
- 1 wedge of Sweet Pumpkin
- 1/4 Cabbage
- 2 White Turnips
- 1 cup soaked Chickpeas
- 2 Onions, sliced
- A large bouquet of fresh Parsley and Coriander
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
What makes this dish a true Masterpiece?
Start the base
Start by gathering your ingredients. The magic always begins with patience and the right spices.
Add the spices
How do you achieve the perfect fluffy Couscous?
Cook to perfection
Forget instant couscous! We prepare and steam the semolina by hand in a traditional couscoussier three separate times for 20 minutes each
Cook to perfection
working water and olive oil through the grains by hand until fluffy.
Cook to perfection
In the bottom pot
Cook to perfection
brown the chicken with the onions
Cook to perfection
ginger
Cook to perfection
turmeric
Cook to perfection
and a pinch of saffron for 10 minutes.
Cook to perfection
Cover the chicken with water
Cook to perfection
add the soaked chickpeas and the bouquet of herbs
Cook to perfection
and let it simmer.
Cook to perfection
Halfway through
Cook to perfection
add the hard vegetables (carrots
Cook to perfection
turnips
Cook to perfection
cabbage) to the bubbling broth.
Cook to perfection
In the final 15 minutes
Cook to perfection
add the soft vegetables (zucchini and pumpkin) so they don't turn into mush.
Cook to perfection
Mound the steaming hot
Cook to perfection
fluffy couscous on a massive communal ceramic plate (gasaa). Pour the rich broth over it
Cook to perfection
crown it with the chicken
Cook to perfection
and arrange the 7 vegetables perfectly around the edges. Gather your family and eat!
Cook to perfection
Serve immediately in the center of the table. In Morocco, we never eat alone—Karam (hospitality) demands we share!
One Tip That Actually Matters
Toast your whole spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before you grind them. It opens them up. The difference in flavor is not subtle.
Medina Kitchen Experts
Authentic recipe sourced and verified by our local culinary experts. Deeply rooted in Moroccan heritage and family traditions.
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About This Recipe
This dish is a labor of love, but honestly, that's the secret. The slow simmer is what makes everything tender and lets those spices really sing. Take your time with it—it's worth every minute.
Pair It With
Trust us, have a glass with this. It cuts the richness perfectly.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
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