Steamed Couscous, the Authentic Way
- 3 cups couscous
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- Stick cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Set couscous in a bowl and pour 2 quarts water over it.
- Swish around and drain water off.
- Spread couscous grain in a baking pan and leave them to swell for 10 minutes.
- Rub couscous between your wet hands to break up lumps.
- Let stand another 10 minutes.
- Combine the broth, water cinnamon stick, ginger and cumin in the bottom of a couscousiere.
- Secure the top of the couscousiere to the bottom with a dampened piece of cheesecloth, lightly dusted with flour and large enough to go around the rim of the top.
- When the liquid comes to a boil, slowly dribble 1/4 of the swollen couscous into steamer, forming them into a mound.
- Steam uncovered for 5 minutes, then add the remaining couscous.
- Steam over low heat, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- Remove the top of the couscousiere (if the liquid in the bottom seems low, add some more water or broth) and dump the couscous into a large shallow pan and spread it out with a rubber spatula.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 teaspoon salt over the couscous.
- Break up lumps by lifting couscous and stirring the grains with a fork.
- Lightly oil your hands and rework grains, rubbing them through your fingertips, to keep them separate.
- Dry for 10 minutes.
- (Can do in advance up to this point and keep until the final steaming with a damp cloth over top).
- Return the dried couscous to the top of the couscousiere (resealing it with cheesecloth again) and dribble couscous in as before, in a soft mound.
- Steam uncovered for 20 minutes more.
- Serve with chick peas stew and garnish with sliced toasted almonds.
couscous, chicken broth, water, cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cumin
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/steamed-couscous-the-authentic-way-recipe.html (may not work)