Syrian Moghrabieh
Moghrabieh, often called 'Lebanese couscous,' features large, pearl-like semolina grains simmered in a rich, spiced broth with chicken and chickpeas. It's a hearty and flavorful stew, originating from North Africa but adapted with distinct Middle Eastern flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 Whole chicken(cut into pieces, or bone-in chicken thighs/legs)
- 8 cups Water(for broth)
- 10 Pearl onions(peeled)
- 1 can Chickpeas(drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups Moghrabieh (Lebanese couscous)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 2 tsp Caraway seeds(crushed)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 2 Bay leaves
- 3 Cloves
- 1 tsp Lebanese 7 spice(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken broth: In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides. Add 8 cups of water, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, 3 cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, skim foam, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove chicken, shred meat, and set aside. Strain broth, discarding solids.
- 2
In the same pot (or a clean one), heat 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add the dry moghrabieh and toast for a few minutes until lightly golden. Add the crushed caraway seeds, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp allspice, and optional 7 spice. Stir for another minute.
- 3
Add the strained chicken broth to the toasted moghrabieh. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until moghrabieh is tender and chewy.
- 4
Add the drained chickpeas and shredded chicken to the moghrabieh. Stir in 1 tsp salt and simmer for another 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- 5
Serve the moghrabieh hot, with the broth and chicken mixture spooned over the pearls. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Toasting the moghrabieh pearls enhances their nutty flavor.
- ✓Ensure the moghrabieh is cooked until tender but still has a slight chew.
- ✓Using bone-in chicken for the broth yields a richer flavor.
🔄 Variations
- Beef or lamb can be used instead of chicken.
- Add other vegetables like carrots or celery to the broth.