Fassuliah Kdra Beans With Saffron Morocco North Africa Recipes

FASSULIAH K'DRA -- BEANS WITH SAFFRON (MOROCCO - NORTH AFRICA)

Steps:

• Drain the beans & rinse well, then place them in a large saucepan.
• Add the 1 generous pinch of saffron threads (crushed) & 1 1/2 quarts water, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Add butter, then reduce heat to low & simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Stir in the onions, parsley & pepper & cook for another 30 minutes or until beans are tender. Stir occasionally to make sure beans are not sticking.
• Just before beans are ready, add salt to taste.
• If sauce is too thick, add a little water, but if it's too thin, increase the heat to high & boil until thickened, stirring regularly so that the beans don't stick.
• Taste & adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
• Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

K'SRA -- MOROCCAN BREAD (MOROCCO -- NORTH AFRICA)

Steps:

• In a small container, blend together the yeast & warm water & let set 5-10 minutes.
• In a shallow mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, anise seeds & sesame seeds, then gradually pour in the yeast water, stirring to combine well, before adding another 1/2 cup of warm water & blending it into the flour mixture.
• Knead for aout 5 minutes, or until the dough is firm & elastic.
• With lightly floured hands, roll dough into a ball, before flattening it into a disk about 6 inches wide & 1 inch thick & placing it on a floured baking sheet. Set aside to rise in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
• Fifteen minutes before the dough is ready, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bake bread in the preheated oven 45-50 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• Set the loaf on a wire rack to cool slightly, then serve it warm or at room temperature. {Freezes well].

FASOULIA (BREAKFAST KIDNEY BEAN DISH)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the jalapeno pepper; cook and stir until softened, about 5 more minutes. Mix in tomato and tomato paste; stir to combine with the onion and jalapeno pepper. Pour in the kidney beans with their liquid; stir in the cumin and curry powder. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the beans are hot and the sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes.