Tunisian Couscous

Name: Tunisian Couscous
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Tunisian
Ingredients: 1 lb lamb shoulder, cubed; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 onion, sliced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp harissa paste; 1 can canned chickpeas, drained; 3 cups vegetable broth; 1.5 cups couscous; 1/4 tsp caraway seeds; 1/2 tsp salt

Fluffy couscous topped with spiced chickpeas, lamb, and caramelized onions. A hearty one-pot meal that's aromatic, savory, and deeply satisfying.

50 minMediumServes 4480 cal/serving

TunisianDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

1 lb lamb shoulder, cubed
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp harissa paste
1 can canned chickpeas, drained
3 cups vegetable broth
1.5 cups couscous
1/4 tsp caraway seeds
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2

Add 1 lb cubed lamb shoulder in batches and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3

In the same pot, cook 1/2 sliced onion until softened and caramelized, about 8 minutes.
4

Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5

Stir in 1 tbsp harissa paste and cook for 1 minute.
6

Return lamb to the pot. Add 1 can drained canned chickpeas, 3 cups vegetable broth, 1/4 tsp caraway seeds, and 1/2 tsp salt.
7

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lamb is tender.
8

Stir in 1.5 cups couscous, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes.
9

Fluff with a fork and serve.

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Questions

How do I know when Tunisian Couscous is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 7: cook until lamb is tender.

What can I use instead of harissa in Tunisian Couscous?

The entry for Tunisian Couscous calls for 1 tbsp harissa paste. In its place: Mix a chili paste such as sambal oelek or sriracha with a pinch each of ground cumin, coriander and caraway, plus a little olive oil.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned in Tunisian Couscous?

Yes. One 15-ounce can is about one and a half cups of cooked beans, which comes from a generous half cup dried. Soak them overnight and simmer until tender before you start the recipe. As written, the entry for Tunisian Couscous uses 1 can canned chickpeas, drained.

Is Tunisian Couscous spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Tunisian Couscous comes from 1 tbsp harissa paste. For a milder plate, start with half the harissa and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Can I make Tunisian Couscous gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Tunisian Couscous is 1.5 cups couscous. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

Serve it with

Omek Houria side
Mermez Salad salad
Zlabya dessert

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