Best 3 Pearl Couscous Tagine Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to North Africa with this delightful pearl couscous tagine. This hearty and flavorful dish combines the delicate texture of pearl couscous with a medley of aromatic spices, succulent vegetables, and tender chicken. Enveloped in a rich and savory broth, the tagine is a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating an authentic and satisfying Moroccan feast.

In addition to the main tagine recipe, this article offers a collection of complementary dishes to elevate your dining experience. Discover the secrets of preparing fluffy and aromatic basmati rice, a staple side dish that perfectly complements the tagine's rich flavors. Learn how to make a refreshing and tangy Moroccan carrot salad, adding a pop of color and a burst of citrus to your meal. And for a sweet ending, indulge in the classic Moroccan dessert, almond cookies, with their delicate almond flavor and crispy texture. With its detailed instructions, helpful tips, and vibrant photography, this article will guide you in creating a memorable and authentic Moroccan feast that will transport you to the heart of North Africa.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SKILLET CHICKEN AND PEARL COUSCOUS WITH MOROCCAN SPICES



Skillet Chicken and Pearl Couscous With Moroccan Spices image

This one-pan meal, which is inspired by the tagines of North Africa, is prepared in a deep skillet or Dutch oven instead of the traditional clay pot. Briefly marinate bone-in chicken thighs in lime juice, garlic, cumin and olive oil, then brown and set aside. (If you're short on time, skip the marinade; simply add the ground cumin when you're toasting the other spices in the chicken fat.) Stir in harissa, cinnamon and turmeric, toast until fragrant, then add quick-cooking pearl couscous and the chicken, so everything finishes cooking together. Top the finished dish with a fistful of roughly chopped tender herbs and lime zest for a jolt of brightness.

Provided by Colu Henry

Categories     dinner, one pot, poultry, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)
1 teaspoon fresh lime zest plus 1/4 cup juice (from 2 limes)
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
1 large leek, trimmed, rinsed of grit then thinly sliced into rings (about 1 1/2 cups), or 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon harissa paste, tomato paste or chile-garlic sauce
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/4 cups pearl couscous or orzo
1 1/2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
1/2 cup roughly chopped mixed tender herbs such as parsley, cilantro and mint (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, lime juice, olive oil, garlic and cumin. Season well with salt and pepper and stir together until the chicken is well coated in the marinade; set aside at room temperature for 25 to 30 minutes.
  • In a deep, 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, heat the grapeseed or canola oil over medium-high. When it shimmers, lift the chicken out of the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip back into the bowl, then add the chicken to the skillet, skin-side down. Working in batches, if necessary, to avoid crowding the pan, cook until the chicken is well browned on both sides, about 6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside on a plate.
  • Reduce heat to medium, add the leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up any brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pan. Stir in the harissa paste, turmeric and cinnamon, and cook until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Season well with salt.
  • Add the couscous to the pan and stir until well coated in the spiced leek oil. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and add the chicken back to the pan, skin-side up, along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer until the couscous is al dente and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. If you're lucky, some of the couscous may slightly stick to the bottom of the pan, creating well-seasoned crispy bites.
  • Remove from the heat and remove the lid. Scatter with the herbs, if using, and the lime zest, then serve from the pan.

PEARL COUSCOUS TAGINE



Pearl Couscous Tagine image

Wanted to serve up a pearl couscous for my Casablanca Girls Martini night. Could not find a good one on here so found this on Cookstr. *When I made this, I only used 1 1/2 cups broth as I did not want it stewy...I wanted it more like a side dish...turned out good.

Provided by CIndytc

Categories     Vegetable

Time 1h10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
one 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
6 inches cinnamon sticks
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots or 1/3 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups tomatoes, chopped
2 cups vegetable stock
1 cup drained chickpeas
2 medium carrots, cut into bite-size chunks (optional)
2 zucchini, cut into bite-size chunks (optional)
salt and pepper
1 cup pearl couscous

Steps:

  • 1. Put the oil in a deep skillet with a lid over meium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon sticks; cook stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • 2. Add the dried fruit, tomato, stock, chickpeas, carrots and zucchini, a large pinch of salt, and a good amount of pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, coer, and cook until the vegetables are just tender. (The dish can be made ahead to this point, cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Bring it to a simmer before preoceeding.).
  • 3. Add the couscous and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. It should be a stewy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve hot or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and then reheat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 352, Fat 8.2, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 191.4, Carbohydrate 60.6, Fiber 7.2, Sugar 8.8, Protein 10.1

ONE-PAN SHRIMP AND PEARL COUSCOUS WITH HARISSA



One-Pan Shrimp and Pearl Couscous With Harissa image

This easy dish relies on harissa for its flavorful broth. Different brands can vary wildly in flavor and heat, so incorporate the harissa slowly, especially if yours is very spicy, and add more at the end to taste. The final dish does have some sauciness to it: The starch from the couscous will thicken the sauce in the few minutes it takes to go from stovetop to table, but you may want to provide a spoon along with a fork. If you prefer a drier dish, you can reduce the amount of water by 1/4 cup.

Provided by Susan Spungen

Categories     dinner, quick, weeknight, one pot, seafood, vegetables, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 to 4 tablespoons harissa paste, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
1 cup pearl couscous or orzo
3 to 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved crosswise
1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves, packed, coarsely chopped or left whole

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, toss shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon salt, a few grinds of black pepper and 1 tablespoon harissa. Set aside.
  • In a large, lidded skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring, until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add couscous, garlic, coriander and cumin. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until couscous is toasted.
  • Add wine and cook until evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of harissa and 2 1/2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes, until couscous is al dente. (There will still be plenty of liquid.)
  • Nestle the shrimp into the couscous, pushing them under the surface a bit. Add the tomatoes and increase the heat until simmering again. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, rearranging shrimp using tongs once, until they are pink and cooked through. Adjust seasoning, if needed, adding more harissa, salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with parsley and serve in shallow bowls.

Tips:

  • For the best results, use a high-quality pearl couscous. Look for couscous that is made from 100% durum wheat and has a slightly nutty flavor.
  • Rinsing the pearl couscous before cooking helps to remove any excess starch and prevents the grains from sticking together.
  • Be careful not to overcook the pearl couscous. It should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • If you are using a store-bought tagine, be sure to season it before using it for the first time. This will help to prevent the food from sticking.
  • If you don't have a tagine, you can also make this recipe in a Dutch oven or a large pot with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Serve the pearl couscous tagine with a dollop of yogurt, harissa, or your favorite sauce.

Conclusion:

Pearl couscous tagine is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its combination of tender pearl couscous, savory vegetables, and aromatic spices, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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