Typical African recipes
Couscous aux fruits secs
Makes: 4-6 servings Calories per serving: approx. 300-400 calories Preparation time: approx. 10 minutes Cooking time: approx. 20 minutes
A popular and typical Moroccan dessert recipe is “Couscous aux fruits secs” which is a traditional sweet couscous dish made with dried fruits and nuts. Here’s a recipe for a simple version of dried fruit couscous: Ingredients:
- 2 cups of semolina couscous
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of raisins
- 1/2 cup of dried apricots, diced
- 1/2 cup of dried figs, diced
- 1/2 cup of blanched almonds, chopped
- 1/2 cup of pistachios, chopped
- 1/4 cup of orange blossom water (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder
- 1/4 cup of toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions: 1. Bring the water and sugar to the boil in a large saucepan. 2. Once it boils, add the couscous and stir well. 3. Remove from heat and cover the pot for about 5 minutes. 4. Fluff the couscous with a fork and add in the raisins, apricots, figs, almonds, pistachios, orange blossom water, butter, and cinnamon powder. 5. Mix well and transfer the couscous to a serving dish. 6. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired. This dessert is typically served at the end of a traditional Moroccan meal, and it is often enjoyed with a cup of mint tea. The sweetness of the dessert is balanced by the nutty and fruity flavours, and the addition of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom, can make it more fragrant. This dish can be modified by adding more or less sugar, and adjusting the amount of fruit and nuts.
