Ingredients
The following ingredients have 5 Servings
- 1/2 cup of dried beans (it can be a mixture of any beans you like, I used 16 types of beans)
- 1/2 cup of dried chickpeas or 1 cup canned chickpeas
- 1 onion (peeled and diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (peeled and bruise with the side of the knife)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 4 cups of hot water
- Dash of Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp concentrated tomato paste
- 1 cup couscous
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Small bunch of fresh mint (finely chopped)
- 16 quail eggs or 4 hard-boiled eggs (optional)
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp harissa (you can purchase from the store or make your own, see note below)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1 bay leaf
Instruction
- If you are using dried beans and chickpeas, soak them in the water for about 2-3 hours along with the other beans and then boil them in a water for about 1 hour or so until you can easily mash them, drain off the water and set aside. If you are using canned chickpeas, you need not to soak, but drain off the liquid and rinse through cold running water several times and then boil them until soft and drain off water and set aside
- Bring about 4 cups of water to a boil. Heat a large pot over high heat and then add in 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Add in the onion, garlic, bay leaves and saute until soft and fragrant. Add in the chicken, tomato paste and the spices. Cook until the chicken turn opaque. Add in 4 cups of the hot water you boil earlier. This is to ensure you do not lower the temperature too much. Bring it back to a boil and then lower the heat and cover the pot. Skim off the surface as it cooks. Let it cook for the next 1 hour or so or until the chicken is tender
- After 1 hour, open the cover and add in the couscous and beans and let them cook for another 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, add in the hard-boiled eggs of quail eggs (if using) and ready to serve. Sprinkle with some chopped mints
