Mesfouf | Steamed Sweet Couscous
Sweet couscous or Mesfouf is a North African dish made of couscous steamed with olive oil, dates and raisins is served warm with nuts and buttermilk.
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 451.15kcal
Ingredients
For steaming couscous
- ½ cup fine couscous (not instant)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon butter divided
- 1 cup water divided
- 5 to 8 dates pitted and chopped roughly
- 1 tablespoon black raisins
- salt to taste
For serving Mesfouf
- handful mixed nuts almonds or walnuts or pistachios
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ¼ teaspoon orange blossom water optional
- sweetener of choice honey or sugar, etc
- buttermilk chilled (optional)
Instructions
- Heat enough water in the steamer pot over medium heat and place the basket on top and allow the water to come to a simmer. If the holes of your steamer basket are bigger, then care to line the vessel with baking paper.
- In a bowl add the couscous, 2 teaspoons of olive oil and ¼ cup of cold water. Mix using a fork and let it rest until all of the water is absorbed.
- Transfer the couscous mixture to the steamer basket, leave the steamer uncovered and allow to steam for 10 minutes.
- Carefully transfer the couscous back into the bowl, and stir in half of the butter, salt and ½ cup of water. Allow it to rest until water is absorbed.
- Transfer the couscous back into the steamer basket and steam for another 10 minutes.
- Once again, empty the steamed couscous back into the bowl and mix in the remaining oil, raisins, dates, and ¼ cup of water. Allow it to rest until water is absorbed.
- Put the couscous mixture back into the steamer basket and steam for another 10-12 minutes. The couscous should be soft but not wet.
- Empty the fully steamed couscous mixture into a large bowl, and mix in the remaining butter, orange blossom water, some honey and the roasted and chopped nuts.
- Spoon the prepared Mesfouf into serving bowls and sprinkle with cardamom powder and drizzle honey to taste.
- Serve Mesfouf with laban or buttermilk (recommended) or it can be had as is.
- Refrigerate any leftovers for 3 to 4 days but should be steamed for 5 to 8 mins before consuming.
Nutrition
Calories: 451.15kcal | Carbohydrates: 82.42g | Protein: 8.58g | Fat: 11.53g
