Moroccan Beef and Vegetable Couscous with Harissa

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Source: Beef for All Seasons

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Active Time:  40 Minutes
Total Time:  1 Hour
Yield:  Serves 6

In Northern Africa, couscous (granular semolina) is rolled by hand into small balls and steamed over simmering stew in an earthenware pot called a "couscoussiere". The couscous is then spread on a platter and the stew is ladled over the top. Guests eat from the platter, using crusty bread to sop up the stew. Truly this is a simple recipe; the most labor-intensive part is cutting the vegetables. Our version uses the commonly available quick-cooking couscous and diners may eat from their own plates, while still helping themselves to the stew, which is placed in the center of the table. Even if you choose to use silverware, we still recommend serving a crisp French baguette on the side.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS

For harissa:

3 dried small hot red chile peppers (such as chiles de arbol), stemmed

1/2 cup finely ground walnuts

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon tabasco sauce

For Stew:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound choice grade beef tenderloin tips, or top sirloin, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 large onion (about 8 ounces), coarsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

1/2 tablespoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground

1/2 tablespoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground

1 (about 2 inches) length of cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon crushed saffron

3 1/2 cups warm water plus 3 cups water

2 carrots (about 6 ounces), cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths (larger ends should be split)

1 russet potato (about 8 ounces), peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

1 small butternut squash (about 12 ounces), peeled, seeded, and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

1 zucchini (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch lengths

1 small eggplant (about 8 ounces), cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

1/2 cup cooked chickpeas

1/2 cup chopped cilantro, including stems

1/3 cup chopped parsley

For the Couscous:

2 cups water

2 cups couscous

Moroccan Beef and Vegetable Couscous with Harissa Recipe at Cooking.com

DIRECTIONS

TO PREPARE HARISSA: Combine all the harissa ingredients in a blender and blend to a paste. If necessary, add a little water to thin.

TO PREPARE STEW: Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sear for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn down the heat to medium, add the onion, and cook for about 5 minutes, until it begins to soften. Add the garlic, half of the tomatoes, the black pepper and red pepper flakes, the cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, and cook for about 5 minutes longer. In a small bowl, mix the saffron in 1/2 cup of the warm water, soften for about 2 minutes, and add to the meat. Add the remaining 3 cups of water and bring the broth to a boil. Turn down the heat and slowly simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Skim the surface of the broth to remove any impurities. Add the carrots and simmer, covered, about 5 minutes. Add the potato, squash, and zucchini, and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes longer. Add the eggplant and chickpeas, and simmer, covered, for 5 more minutes. Stir in the remaining tomatoes, the cilantro, and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes longer, or until all the vegetables are tender.

TO PREPARE COUSCOUS: About 20 minutes before serving, prepare the couscous. Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from the heat, stir in the couscous, and cover. Let rest for about 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with salt.

TO SERVE: Place a heaping pile of couscous on warm serving plates. Spoon a small amount of the stew over the center of the couscous. Fill separate tureens or serving bowls with the remaining couscous and stew, and place them in the center of the table. Put the harissa in a small bowl to pass at the table. Guests may help themselves to the stew and add the harissa to season their meal to taste.

WINE RECOMMENDATION: A full-bodied wine such as a Rhone Valley Hermitage or Cote Rotie, or a powerful Zinfandel from California.

HELPFUL TIPS: Harissa, a traditional accompaniment in many North African countries, is a highly seasoned puree that is passed around the table. Diners take a small (or large) amount and stir it into the stew to season it to their liking. James Beard created his own version, adding walnuts (an unusual ingredient) to enrich the hot sauce. We have doubled his original recipe, because we feel certain you will like this so much, you won't want to run out.