A tagine is basically a hearty stew, named after the pot it is traditionally cooked in the oven in. Couscous is the fluffy grain of the Mahgreb – the countries of North Africa. Traditionally, it is steamed above a spicy bubbling stew, and red hot harissa paste is stirred into the vegetable mixture just before serving the couscous.
Ingredients
For the couscous
- 700ml vegetable stock
- 350g couscous
- 1 lemon, zested
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 50g flaked almonds, lightly toasted
- 75g ready to eat apricots
- 3 tbsp sultanas
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- salt and freshly ground pepper, for seasoning
For the aubergines
- 1 large aubergine, cut into 2cm cubes
- 1 bunch fresh mint, finely chopped
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp harissa paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 tbsp olive oil
For the chickpea stew
- 2 onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp paprika
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 150ml vegetable stock
- 3 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 x 400g can chickpeas, drained
- 1 bay leaf
- salt, for seasoning
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Method
- Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas 5.
- For the couscous: Heat the stock in a large saucepan until boiling. Pour the couscous in and stir in the lemon zest. Remove from the heat, cover and leave to stand for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the couscous up with a fork – it should absorb most of the liquid. Drizzle over the olive oil and fold in the almonds, apricots, sultanas and parsley. Season to taste.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and fluff up the grains again. Keep warm until needed.
- For the aubergines: Place the aubergine in a shallow ovenproof dish. In a bowl, mix together all of the remaining ingredients for the aubergine. Cover the aubergine with the marinade, tossing to ensure the aubergine pieces are well coated. Seal tightly with cling film and leave for at least half an hour to marinate. Remove the cling film and place the marinated aubergine in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until tender.
- For the chickpea stew: Fry the onions in the oil until soft and golden. Add the garlic and spices and fry for 2 minutes longer. Add the tomatoes and stock and simmer gently until well cooked and starting to thicken. Stir in the tomato puree, chickpeas and bay leaf. Simmer for 5 minutes more.
- Season to taste and stir in the chopped parsley. Spread the cous cous on a large platter and ladle the chickpea stew over the top. Top the stew with the baked aubergines and serve.
