Maftoul

Maftoul

Maftoul is one of my favorite dishes that Um Suleiman graciously taught me.  Hearty and tasty, Maftoul is similar to spaghetti.  And who doesn't enjoy a nice dish of spaghetti?

Important to remember, Maftoul must be made with chicken.  

To begin, you are going to need the following ingredients (remember, fresh is best):

• chicken legs and thighs, skin removed and washed
• dry chickpeas (soaked overnight), or for those who are short on time, canned will work as well
• large onion, half cut into chunks and half finely diced
• oil for frying
• sliced carrots
• salt
• black pepper
• cinnamon
• 7 spice
• cumin
• 1 chicken broth cube
• small can of tomato sauce, or you can use fresh tomatoes and make your own
• large round or Israeli couscous
• LOVE!! Most important!

So you noticed the last ingredient, right?  Yes, that's right.  Any real cook knows that Love is the main ingredient in any dish you create.  

Mix well the diced onion with cumin, salt, pepper, cinnamon and 7 spice.  Next, blend this mixture with the dry couscous in a glass or metal dish and set aside.

In a large pot, heat the oil and fry the onion chunks, chickpeas, carrots, salt and pepper until onions start to turn yellow.  Then add the chicken and fry a few minutes longer.  

Now add water and the chicken broth cube to the chicken and boil using the dish of couscous as the lid.  Yes, this is part of the love.

When the chicken is almost done, add the tomato sauce and continue to boil. 

In another large pot or rice cooker, heat oil and fry the couscous mixture and for a few minutes.  Add the boiling soup from the chicken pot and cook the couscous just like rice, until the water is gone.  

Finally, spread the couscous in a casserole dish evenly.  

Remember, the eyes eat before the stomach so this is where you show love when you top the couscous with the carrots, chickpeas and onions from the chicken soup.  Arrange the chicken on top of the maftoul and enjoy with family or friends!