LAMB-AND-SAUSAGE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Pat the meat dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper as desired.
• Heat the oil in a large covered casserole or dutch oven over high heat on top of the stove.
• Add the meat, without crowding, in batches if necessary, and brown well on all sides.
• Remove pieces to a plate as they are done and reserve.
• Repeat until all meat is browned.
• Do not pour off fat.
• Replace the casserole over medium heat.
• Add the onion, carrots, celery and tomato paste.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.
• Use your spoon to loosen and dissolve the brown bits stuck to the bottom of the casserole.
• Add flour and cook, stirring, an additional minute.
• Add wine, meat (and any juices on the plate), stock, cayenne and cumin.
• Cover, bring to a boil and place in the oven for 1 1/4 hours, or until meat is tender.
• Meanwhile, combine sausage and zucchini in an ovenproof dish, cover and place in the oven until sausages are cooked, about 20 minutes.
• Follow directions on the back of the box and cook the couscous.
• Remove stewed lamb and the sausage/vegetable mixture from the oven.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the sauce and place it in a serving bowl.
• Pour off and discard any excess fat from the sausages and add sausages and vegetables to the lamb.
• Pour the thin gravy through a fine strainer into the serving bowl and discard the vegetables and spices that remain in the strainer.
• To serve, place the couscous in another serving dish.
• Pour the broth into a pitcher or soup tureen.
• Encourage guests to place couscous in their soup bowl, top with the meat and vegetables and moisten with soup.