Immerse yourself in the rich culinary traditions of North Africa with our guide to Maghrebi sweet couscous seffa, a delectable dish that embodies the essence of Maghrebi cuisine. This sweet delight, often served during festive occasions and celebrations, combines tender couscous, aromatic spices, and a symphony of dried fruits and nuts, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of North African medinas. As you embark on this culinary journey, we will unveil the secrets behind crafting the perfect Maghrebi sweet couscous seffa, ensuring that your taste buds are tantalized and your kitchen is filled with the enticing aromas of this North African treasure.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
SWEET COUSCOUS WITH NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 14m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cranberries, apricots, and cherries. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Stir in the couscous and remove the pan from the heat. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid until the couscous has absorbed all of the cooking liquid, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Using a fork, fluff the couscous to break up any lumps. Add the almonds and hazelnuts and toss. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet until completely cooled, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the couscous to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
- Serving Suggestion: Drizzle the couscous with 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil for a moister texture.
SWEET AND NUTTY MOROCCAN COUSCOUS
I've simplified this recipe for Couscous Mesfouf without losing any of its deliciously complex flavor. Prepare all the mix-ins ahead of time and it takes only minutes to make. Enjoy!
Provided by Christina S.
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegetarian Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Pour the vegetable broth into a large saucepan, and bring to a boil. Add the butter, apricots, dates and raisins. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the couscous. Cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon and toasted almonds, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 442.1 calories, Carbohydrate 68.2 g, Cholesterol 25.4 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.5 g, Sodium 163.5 mg, Sugar 16.9 g
MAGHREBI SWEET COUSCOUS (SEFFA)
Provided by Gil Marks
Categories Milk/Cream Dairy Dessert Vegetarian Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur Spice Fall Cinnamon Couscous Kidney Friendly Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Pour the boiling water over the couscous and salt, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. (If using regular couscous, after soaking, toss with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, place in a colander, and steam over boiling water, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.) Stir to fluff.
- 2. Stir the sugar and cinnamon into the butter. Pour over the couscous and toss to coat. Gradually add enough milk to moisten the couscous.
- 3. Mound the couscous on a large platter and sprinkle with the additional cinnamon. Or for individual servings, pack into custard cups and invert onto serving plates.
- VARIATIONS
- Couscous Hillo (Moroccan Fruited Couscous):
- Add 3/4 cup raisins, 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates, 3/4 cup chopped dried apricots, 3/4 cup chopped blanched almonds, and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or 1/3 cup pine nuts.
- Couscous de Cérémonie:
- Mounded couscous is featured on special occasions, such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. Pack half of the couscous mixture into a large bowl, sprinkle with 2/3 cup ground toasted blanched almonds, top with the remaining couscous, invert onto a serving platter, and sprinkle with ground cinnamon. Garnish with datils rellenos.
SEFFA (SWEET COUSCOUS WITH ALMOND MILK)
Make and share this Seffa (Sweet Couscous With Almond Milk) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Midwest Maven
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine the milk and almonds in a saucepan with a lid and bring to a boil over medium/high heat.
- Turn off the heat, cover and let sit while you proceed with the recipe.
- Put 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan and turn heat to medium/low.
- When butter melts, add the couscous and cook stirring for 1 minute.
- Add 2 1/4 cups water and a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a boil, then turn heat down very low.
- Cover and cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 7-12 minutes.
- While the couscous is cooking, soak the raisins, apricots and dates in warm water.
- Pour the couscous into a large serving bowl and stir in the remaining butter along with the drained fruit.
- Fluff the couscous and break up any lumps.
- Add the sugar and cinnamon and stir and taste to adjust seasonings if needed.
- Strain the almond milk and pour over the couscous and serve.
MESFOUF QSENTENA - SWEET COUSCOUS WITH DATES & NUTS
This dish is a regional speciality of an area of Algeria called Constantine. For best results, use freshly steamed couscous. This dish is often served with laben aka buttermilk. You can substitute raisins for the dates, just soak them for 5 mins in hot water.
Provided by Um Safia
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 10m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place the cooked couscous in a large bowl & mix in the salt.
- De-stone the dates & roughly chop them. Chop the walnuts into relatively small pieces (about the size of a pea).
- Starting with 80g of each of the butter & the ghee, mix them into the couscous - the best way to do this is with your hands, Rub the couscous between your fingertips & palms until the grains are evenly coated.
- Set aside 2 tbsp of the dates & of the walnuts, mix the remainder into to the couscous & mix well until evenly distributed.
- Taste & add more butter or ghee if desired.
- Transfer the couscous to a large serving bowl & decorate with the reserved dates & walnuts. Sprinkle a little sugar over the top of the couscous & serve.
- Allow people to add their own sugar to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1259.5, Fat 57.8, SaturatedFat 18.3, Cholesterol 62.6, Sodium 288.7, Carbohydrate 160.9, Fiber 14.3, Sugar 22.4, Protein 29.9
Tips:
- Choose the right couscous: Seffa is traditionally made with medium-grain couscous, which has a slightly chewy texture. If you can't find medium-grain couscous, you can use fine-grain couscous, but it will be a bit softer.
- Soak the couscous properly: Soaking the couscous before cooking helps to hydrate it and make it more tender. Be sure to soak the couscous for the full amount of time specified in the recipe.
- Use a flavorful broth: The broth used to cook the couscous is a key element of the dish's flavor. Use a broth that is rich in flavor, such as chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Add plenty of vegetables: Vegetables add color, flavor, and texture to seffa. Some popular vegetables to use include carrots, celery, onions, and zucchini.
- Don't overcook the couscous: Couscous cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked couscous will be mushy and unpleasant to eat.
Conclusion:
Maghrebi sweet couscous, also known as seffa, is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is a popular dish in North Africa and the Middle East, and it is often served on special occasions. With its sweet and savory flavors, seffa is sure to please everyone at your table.
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