Maftoul
Maftoul, also known as Palestinian couscous, is a hearty dish made from hand-rolled semolina and whole wheat flour. It's typically cooked with chicken or lamb broth and served with a flavorful stew of vegetables, chickpeas, and sometimes meat.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Maftoul (Palestinian couscous)
- 3 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 large Yellow onion(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 can (15 oz) Chickpeas(drained and rinsed)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 medium Zucchini(cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 cup Butternut squash(peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon Dill seeds(optional, but traditional)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and dill seeds (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 2
Add the maftoul to the pot and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and aromatic.
- 3
Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and allspice. Cook for 1 minute, stirring well.
- 4
Add the carrots, zucchini, and butternut squash to the pot. Stir to coat with the spices.
- 5
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the maftoul is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 6
Stir in the drained and rinsed chickpeas. Cook for another 5 minutes to heat through.
- 7
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fluff the maftoul with a fork.
- 8
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If you can't find pre-made maftoul, you can make it from scratch by mixing fine semolina and whole wheat flour with water until small pellets form.
- ✓Ensure the broth is well-seasoned, as it's a primary flavor component.
- ✓Adjust the amount of vegetables based on your preference.
🔄 Variations
- Add cooked chicken or lamb pieces to the stew.
- A vegetarian version can be made using vegetable broth and omitting meat.