Tagines and Couscous - by Ghillie Basan (Hardcover)

About the Book

Tagines form the basis of traditional Moroccan cooking. These hearty casseroles are cooked and often served in an elegant, specially-designed cooking vessel, the tagine. In this collection of recipes you will find some of the best-loved classics. A chapter on Traditional Lamb Tagines includes the sumptuous Lamb Tagine with Dates, Almonds, and Pistachios. Also included are less traditional but equally delicious recipes for Beef, Kefta, and Sausage Tagines. Try a Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes, Peas, and Ginger; or a Chorizo Tagine with Lentils and Fenugreek, Lighter recipes for Chicken and Duck Tagines include a tangy Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon, Green Olives, and Thyme. Ideas for Fish and Seafood dishes include a Creamy Shellfish Tagine with Fennel and Spicy Harissa. Vegetable Tagines make satisfying and economical meals. Try a Tagine of Artichokes, Potatoes, Peas, and Saffron. A chapter devoted to Couscous Dishes provides an essential recipe for Plain, Buttery Couscous, as well as ideas for couscous-based dishes, such as Green Couscous with a Spring Broth; and Couscous Tfaia with Beef. Finally, Salads and Vegetable Side Dishes are often served alongside tagines to balance the flavors. Recipes to try include Preserved Lemon and Tomato Salad with Capers; and Honey-glazed Pumpkin with Spices.

Book Synopsis

Tagines are the rich and aromatic casseroles that form the basis of traditional Moroccan cooking.

These hearty one-pot meals, flavored with fragrant spices, are cooked and served from an elegant, specially designed cooking vessel, also called a tagine. In Ghillie Basan's collection of deliciously authentic recipes you will find some of the best-loved classics of the Moroccan kitchen, such as the sumptuous Lamb Tagine with Dates, Almonds, and Pistachios, and the tangy Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon, Green Olives, and Thyme. Also included are less traditional but equally delicious recipes for beef and fish--try Beef Tagine with Sweet Potatoes, Peas, and Ginger or a tagine of Monkfish, Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Black Olives. Substantial vegetable tagines include Baby Eggplant with Cilantro and Mint, and Butternut Squash, Shallots, Golden Raisins, and Almonds. Recipes for variations on couscous, the classic accompaniment to tagines, are also given, plus plenty of ideas for fresh-tasting salads and vegetable sides to serve alongside and complete your Moroccan-style feast.

About the Author

Ghillie Basan works as a cookery writer, restaurant critic, and journalist. She has written a number of highly acclaimed books on classic cuisines of the Middle East and South-east Asia. Her food and travel articles have appeared in the Sunday Herald, Scotland on Sunday, and BBC Good Food Magazine. Ghillie lives in the Scottish Highlands.