Best 8 Moroccan Couscous With Saffron Recipes

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In the heart of North African cuisine lies a dish that takes you on a culinary journey filled with vibrant flavors and exotic aromas: the tantalizing Moroccan couscous with saffron. This delectable dish, known as "Seffa" or "Mesfouf" in the local dialect, captivates taste buds with its combination of tender couscous, succulent meats, aromatic spices, and the golden hue of saffron. Saffron, the prized spice that gives this dish its distinctive color and flavor, adds a luxurious touch to this traditional Moroccan delicacy. Join us as we explore the tantalizing world of Moroccan couscous with saffron, providing you with everything you need to recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS



Moroccan Couscous image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup chopped shallots
3 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, recipe follows, or canned broth
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups couscous
1/2 cup pignoli nuts, toasted
1/4 cup currants
3 (5-pound) chickens
3 large onions, unpeeled and quartered
6 carrots, unpeeled and halved
4 celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds
4 parsnips, unpeeled and cut in 1/2, optional
20 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
15 sprigs fresh thyme
20 sprigs fresh dill
1 head garlic, unpeeled and cut in 1/2 crosswise
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a large saute pan, add the shallots and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat. Add the chicken stock, salt and pepper, raise the heat to high and bring the stock to a boil. Off the heat and add the couscous. Cover the pan and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  • Add the pignoli nuts and currants to the couscous, stir and serve.
  • Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot with 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Skim the surface as needed. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander, discarding the chicken and vegetables, and chill. Discard the hardened fat, and then pack the broth in quart containers.

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH SAFFRON



Moroccan Couscous with Saffron image

This dish is tasty and looks gorgeous on a big serving plate as the centerpiece of a meal.

Provided by Recipe by Our Cookbook Collection

Categories     African

Yield Yield: 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/4
2 cups yellow onion, large dice
1 1/2 cups carrots cut in 1/4
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pinch fine sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Earth Balance butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon Saffron threads
1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous
2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the squash, onion, carrots, and zucchini on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once with a spatula about midway through.
  • While the vegetables roast, bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cumin, saffron, and salt to taste. Cover the pan and steep for 15 minutes.
  • Scrape the roasted vegetables and their juices into a large bowl, and add the couscous. Bring the vegetable broth back to a boil, and pour over the couscous mixture all at once. Cover tightly with a plate and allow to stand for 15 minutes. Add the scallions, toss the couscous and vegetables with a fork, and serve.

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS



Moroccan Couscous image

This dish is great served with my Lamb Tagine and Cucumber Raita also on this site.

Provided by BenevolentEmpress

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Squash     Summer Squash

Time 55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 ¼ teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces
2 zucchinis, halved lengthwise and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
½ cup golden raisins
1 teaspoon kosher salt
grated zest of one orange
1 (14.5 ounce) can low sodium garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 ½ cups chicken broth
½ cup orange juice
1 ½ cups couscous
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

Steps:

  • Place a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Stir in the cumin, ginger, cloves, cayenne, cardamom, coriander, and allspice; gently toast until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in oil and onion, cook until softened. Stir in the bell pepper, and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the raisins, salt, zest, and garbanzos.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and orange juice; turn heat to high and bring to a boil. When the mixture is boiling, stir in the couscous and remove from heat; cover, and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and fold in chopped mint.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 245.6 calories, Carbohydrate 48.1 g, Fat 2.6 g, Fiber 5.2 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 263.3 mg, Sugar 9.6 g

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH MEAT AND VEGETABLES



Moroccan Couscous with Meat and Vegetables image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 quarts water (or beef broth) plus 2 cups to use during couscous procedure
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 large tomato, diced
4 pounds lamb shoulder or lamb shank, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 small bouquet parsley, approximately 1/2 cup
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon saffron
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Salt, to taste
1 tablespoon black pepper
24 ounces couscous
1 pound green and yellow zucchini cut in half lengthwise
1 pound baby carrots
1 pound potatoes, any kind, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 head cabbage, diced
1 pound peas, fresh or frozen
2 rutabagas, peeled and diced
2 large turnips, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 cup butter, softened
* Bay leaves and fresh thyme may also be added to the recipe
* 2 to 3 whole jalapenos can also be added to the vegetables, then served separately

Steps:

  • Put broth in the couscousiere pot, add the onions, tomatoes, meat, parsley, olive oil, saffron, ginger and salt and pepper. Boil on medium high heat for 5 to10 minutes. Put the keskes on top of the pot and add couscous slowly. Let the couscous steam for 1/2 hour.
  • After steam starts coming up, take the couscous out of keskes and transfer into a large bowl (gsaa). Break up any clumping grains of couscous with wooden spoon, and cool for a few minutes. Sprinkle 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup cold water on the couscous while it is in the bowl, to make the grains larger and soft. Return to heat and steam for another 30 minutes. Remove the couscous from the pot and transfer to the large bowl. Again, break up any clumps and sprinkle with 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of water. Remove the meat from the couscousiere, cover and set aside. Add vegetables to the couscousiere and return the couscous to the keske and place in the couscousiere. Cook the vegetables and the couscous for 30 to 45 minutes on medium high heat. After the vegetables and couscous are all fully cooked, remove the couscousiere from heat. Return the couscous to a large bowl and add butter. Place the couscous on a platter, forming a hole in the middle of the couscous. Place meat in the hole and top with vegetables. Put sauce around sides of the platter. Serve guests additional sauce in small bowls.
  • The recipes for this program, which were provided by contributors and guests who may not be professional chefs, have not been tested in the Food Network's kitchens. Therefore, the Food Network cannot attest to the accuracy of any of the recipes.

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS PILAF



Moroccan Couscous Pilaf image

This was the healthy recipe of the day on my "MyYahoo" page. Sounds tasty! ..."Hearty enough to serve as a main course or a substantial side dish."

Provided by MackinacBride

Categories     Beans

Time 35m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup diced butternut squash
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup couscous, preferably whole-wheat
2 cups boiling water
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons Italian parsley

Steps:

  • Place squash in a vegetable steaming basket over boiling water.
  • Cover and steam until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Set aside.
  • Spray a large saucepan with cooking spray and set the pan over medium heat.
  • Add bell peppers and onions and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.
  • Add all seasonings/spices and stir to coat the vegetables.
  • Add couscous and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Add boiling water to the pan.
  • Cover and set aside for 7 minutes to steam.
  • Fluff gently with a fork and add steamed squash, chickpeas and parsley.
  • Toss to mix, serve warm.

SAFFRON COUSCOUS



Saffron Couscous image

A light side dish or a great lunch box salad. The addition of saffron makes it just interesting enough!

Provided by toastyfrenchy

Categories     Side Dish

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons warm water
5 saffron threads, or more to taste
1 cup couscous
1 cup vegetable broth
1 celery stalk, diced
¼ cup dried currants
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon harissa, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground cumin
sea salt to taste

Steps:

  • Combine warm water and saffron together in a bowl.
  • Mix couscous and vegetable broth together in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Remove saucepan from heat, cover saucepan, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a bowl.
  • Stir saffron mixture, celery, currants, olive oil, lemon juice, harissa, cumin, and sea salt into couscous. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 264.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.7 g, Fat 7.3 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 236.3 mg, Sugar 7.2 g

MOROCCAN MUSHROOM COUSCOUS



Moroccan Mushroom Couscous image

Make and share this Moroccan Mushroom Couscous recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Rita1652

Categories     Grains

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/4 cup olive oil
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander seed, crushed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon saffron thread
1 1/2 cups orange juice
1 teaspoon lemons, zest of or 1 teaspoon orange zest
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/4 cup raisins
salt & pepper

Steps:

  • Heat 2 tablespoon oil add mushrooms seasoned with salt and pepper saute till tender.
  • Remove from pan and add 2 tablespoons oil, onions, garlic and spices cook for an other 5 minutes.
  • Add orange juice and zest simmering till reduced to 1 cup.
  • In a medium bowl Add 1 cup hot water to couscous and raisins season with salt and pepper remove let stand for 10 minutes.
  • For presentation plate the couscous on a large platter top with mushrooms and pour sauce on top. Just before serving toss together.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 389.7, Fat 14.7, SaturatedFat 2.1, Sodium 14.1, Carbohydrate 57, Fiber 4.5, Sugar 15.9, Protein 10.4

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH SAFFRON



MOROCCAN COUSCOUS WITH SAFFRON image

Categories     Vegan

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups peeled butternut squash, cut into 1/4 to 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups yellow onion, large dice
1 1/2 cups carrots, cut into 1/4 to 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 cups zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Fine sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons Earth Balance butter
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous
2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 2. Place the squash, onion, carrots, and zucchini on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. 3. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once with a spatula about midway through. 4. While the vegetables roast, bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan. 5. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the butter, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, cumin, saffron, and salt to taste. 6. Cover the pan and steep for 15 minutes. 7. Scrape the roasted vegetables and their juices into a large bowl, and add the couscous. 8. Bring the vegetable broth back to a boil, and pour over the couscous mixture all at once. 9. Cover tightly with a plate and allow to stand for 15 minutes. 10. Add the scallions, toss the couscous and vegetables with a fork, and serve. Serves 6

Tips:

  • To achieve the perfect texture for the couscous, it's crucial to use the right ratio of semolina to water. Generally, a 1:1 ratio works well, but you may need to adjust slightly depending on the type of couscous you're using. If the couscous seems too dry, add a little more water; if it's too wet, let it rest for a few minutes to absorb the excess moisture.
  • Soaking the couscous before cooking helps to hydrate the grains and reduce the cooking time. While this step is optional, it's highly recommended for achieving the best results.
  • Saffron is a key ingredient in this dish, and its distinct flavor and color are what make it so special. If you don't have saffron on hand, you can substitute a small amount of turmeric powder, but the flavor won't be quite the same.
  • To toast the almonds and pine nuts, spread them out on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
  • For a vegetarian version of this dish, you can omit the chicken and add more vegetables, such as chopped carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers.

Conclusion:

Moroccan couscous with saffron is a flavorful and aromatic dish that's perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With its tender couscous, succulent chicken, and vibrant vegetables, this dish is sure to impress your taste buds. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this Moroccan couscous recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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