OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, October 14, 2009 · 20 A Mediterranean classic served at Alhambra to please all palate Couscous is a staple in Algerian/ Moroccan/ Tunisian cuisine. Dating back to the 9th Century, it is the most complete meal, consisting of all the vitamins, protein, fibre and carbohydrates a person needs in a day. Properly cooked couscous should be light and fluffy, never gummy or gritty. Couscous is steamed 2 to 3 times to achieve this consistency. Traditionally, North Africans use a food steamer, called a couscoussiere in French. The meat and vegetables are cooked in a stew in the base pot. On top of the base is a steamer used to cook the couscous. All the flavours and aromas from the stew are absorbed into the couscous in the steamer above. Here is a simple recipe for couscous: In the lower pot, add: 1 oz. Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 oz. Canola Oil Chop into strips and add: 1 Spanish Onion 2 Shallots 1/2 Red Onion Cook onions until transparent. Add: 2-3 Cloves of Fresh Garlic 4 Fresh Whole Roma Tomatoes 1 pinch Saffron 1T. Raselhanut * Coriander, Fennel Seeds, Allspice, and Anis will replace if Raselhanut is not on hand. Fill the pot with either vegetable stock, chicken or beef of the couscous is moist and has been coated. Move the couscous to steamer and place steamer on top of base pot. Cook on Med-Hi for 20 minutes. Add a very small amount of cold water to coat the mixture, and add 1 T. of butter. Stir and cook for another 20 minutes. Repeat with water and butter, and cook only a few more minutes, until couscous is of the right consistency. At Alhambra Mediterranean Fiesta Restaurant, couscous is served in three different styles, all using authentic recipes dating back centuries. For more Mediterranean pleasures for the palate, visit us at 2441 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville. broth, or fumet, depending on if you are cooking vegetarian, meat, or fish couscous, to top of the pot, allowing room at top of pot for boiling. Cook Med-Hi for 10-15 minutes. In a bowl, add: 3 cups Sun-dried Couscous 1/4 - 1/2 cup Warm Water pinch of Sea Salt 2 T. Olive Oil Mix with hands to ensure all ALL YOU CAN EAT! 10% OFF (with coupon) ORDER AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT! OVER 100 ITEMS AMAZING DECOR! TRAFALGAR RD. X QEW 905.815.9888