Fragrant Moroccan Spiced Mince With Couscous Recipes

FRAGRANT MOROCCAN SPICED MINCE WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Combine first 10 ingredients in a small bowl or jar. (These are fairly forgiving. You can double or triple the quantities and leave them in a jar for next time.).
• Toast almonds and pine nuts if not already done. Careful NOT to burn. Can place in a non stick fry pan or a saucepan on low heat until they start to brown or are golden. Remove from heat, place on a towel or paper towels to cool. Nuts keep browning slightly after being removed from their heat source.
• Put couscous and raisins in a bowl and pour boiling water and orange juice over them. Allow to sit while you cook. (Adjust the water/juice to the instructions of how to cook the couscous. Try not to add too much liquid, it will go soggy).
• Over medium to high heat, put oil in a large fry pan with approximately 2tb of the mixed spices. Cook through til fragrant (1-3 minutes).
• Add garlic and ginger and cook for a further 2 minutes. Stirring and careful not to burn.
• Add onion, cook til transparent. Add mince, cook til browned. Add carrot, mix through then add cabbage, a bit at a time so it reduces. Add capsicum (red pepper).
• Taste for flavours. Season with salt or pepper or if you have more spices left, add more if necessary.
• Add nuts, cous cous and raisins and mix through.
• Serve.

MOROCCAN LAMB SHANK WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Mix ground cumin, coriander, paprika and fennel seeds in a bowl. Put the olive oil in a big sauce pan with lid or a casserole in medium heat. When the oil is hot, put in the mixed spices. Fry them for 1-2 minutes until you can smell the lovely fragrance of the spices. Add ginger and chili, fry for a further 1 minute.
• Add lamb shanks in the pan, make sure the shanks are coated with the spices while browning the meat. After the lamb shanks are nice and brown, add the chopped tomatoes, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add chicken stock into the pan, make sure the lamb shanks are largely covered, and bring it to boil. Add cinnamon stick, salt and honey to the pot, cover the pan with the lid and reduce the heat to let it simmer for 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, adjust the seasoning to your preference. Let the lamb continue to cook for another 2 hours, and turn the lamb shanks over every 30 minutes, and add additional water if the stocks becomes a bit dry.
• After 2 hours and 30 minutes, add the chopped apricots, figs and almond flakes to the lamb, and continue to cook for another 30 minutes. The meat should be almost falling off the bones by now.
• Meanwhile, put couscous in a large bowl, and cover with the sauce from the lamb. The liquid should be enough to cover the couscous with a finger width of extra water on the top. Cover the bowl with the lid from the pot for about 5 minutes. This would allow the couscous to soak up all the flavours. Uncover the bowl, and fluff the couscous up with a fork. Sprinkle some of the chopped coriander and mix.
• Divide the couscous up into 2 bowls, and dish out the lam shank on top of the couscous. Don't forget to put some of that lovely sauce on top of the dish. And finally, sprinkle some of the chopped coriander on top.