Moroccan Seffa
Description:
Residents of Maghreb use semolina to make tiny pasta pellets called kesksu in Arabic. Unlike pasta made with other types of wheat flour, pasta made from semolina does not become mushy during cooking. The old-fashioned way of making these pellets is to mix semolina flour with water, roll the dough into tiny balls, sift it over a medium-meshed wire sieve to remove any excess flour, then steam the final product over boiling water or a stew. Instant couscous, available at most supermarkets, is prepared by adding boiling water. Although not as fluffy as the classic type, it is more than acceptable for seffa and easy to prepare. Israelis make a larger form of couscous, which is lightly toasted; do not substitute for the regular type.
Ingredients:
- 4 tbl butter
- 2 shallots, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 6 threads Spanish saffron, crushed
- 1 cup instant couscous
- 2 tbl sugar
- 1 tbl orange-flower water
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbl raisins, plumped in warm water and drained
- 4 dates, pitted and chopped
- 6 dried apricot halves, plumped in warm water, drained, and diced
- 2 tbl slivered almonds, toasted salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Preparation:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and add the shallots. Saute until the shallots are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, saffron, and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Bring to a boil. Gradually stir in the couscous and remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. 2. Transfer the couscous to a bowl and fluff with a fork. Stir in the sugar, orange-flower water, cinnamon, raisins, dates, apricots and slivered almonds. Season with salt and pepper. Use as a stuffing, or serve hot as a side dish. Makes 3 cups. Francisco.
Serving:
_______________________________________Moroccan Cuisine
- Homepage
- Couscous
- Harira
- Bastilla
- Shwa
- Tagine
- Zaalouk
- Seffa
- Moroccan Kefta
- Moroccan Salad
- Fish Kefta
- Fish in Charmoula
- Bissara
- Chorba
- Amlou
- Baghrir
- Chebakia
- Lentils & Pumpkin
- Mint Tea
- Msammen
- Rfissa (Marchouch)