How to make
The most common type of couscous in our stores is the one we are used to seeing in small, round balls and eating for breakfast with sugar, butter and cheese.
However, we will not need this type to make this dish, but the smaller variety, which is used in Arab cuisine for savory dishes and salads. The most famous among the couscous dishes are the Moroccan variations with meat and vegetables.
Arabic or Moroccan couscous is fluffy, easily combined with different types of meat and it better absorbs the flavors of the dish prepared with it.
It is prepared from durum wheat and its structure and size allow it not to be boiled, it is enough just to scald it with water or broth in a ratio of 2:1 liquid/couscous.
After a few minutes, it absorbs the broth, swells and is ready. It is a mistake to boil such couscous and it could only be steamed, but it is soaked in liquid again, this time in a ratio of 1:1.
We will do the same in this recipe.
I highly recommend it, because it is easy and divinely delicious.
First, prepare the meat by cutting it into large chunks and rolling it in half of the spices - ras el hanout, turmeric and black pepper.
Add a spoonful of olive oil, a little lemon juice and tomato puree and stir. Leave the chicken marinate, while you cook everything else.
Put a pot of the chicken broth, lemon juice, grated peel (it doesn't have to be the whole one) on the stove and heat it up.
Chop the onion, garlic and parsley and fry them with a little salt in the oil for 4 minutes. Add the other half of the spices and stir.
Pour the warm broth, add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 20 minutes.
At the same time, soak the couscous in 1 cup (250 ml) of broth and when it absorbs it, put it in a large strainer and attach it to the pot with the chicken.
This way it will be steamed, while the meat is being prepared.
Finally, remove the couscous with chicken from the heat and if necessary, increase the heat to reduce the sauce and make it thicker.
Serve the oriental dish by placing the couscous in a large platter. In the middle of it form a hole in which you can place the fragrant chicken and serve it.
Enjoy this oriental couscous with chicken and lemon!
