Maftoul

Maftoul is very closely related to couscous. Maftoul is slightly larger in size than couscous and made from wheat and bulgur. Maftoul is a very simple and delicious meal to make that does not take too much time.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups maftoul*
• 4 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 chicken bullion cube
• ½ can chick peas/ garbanzo beans
• 1 small can of carrots
• 1 6 oz can tomato paste
• 1 medium onion
• 1 3 pound chicken
• Olive oil
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Cut the chicken into 8 pieces. Place into a saucepan.
2. Add the onion, chopped, salt and pepper.
3. Cover with water. Add the chicken bullion cube and cook the chicken over medium heat until done.
4. While the chicken is cooking, over a low flame stir-fry the maftoul in a little olive oil till the maftoul becomes golden brown.
5. Add 4 ½ cups boiling chicken broth.
6. Add cumin, salt, pepper, and other spices to taste.
7. On low flame, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
8. Remove from flame and let stand covered for five minutes.
9. When the chicken is cooked, stir in the can of tomato paste, the chickpeas drained, and the carrots, drained.
10. Bring to a boil then let it simmer for 10 minutes.
11. Empty the maftoul onto a platter. Spoon some of the sauce over the maftoul and place the chicken pieces on top.
12. Pour the rest of the sauce into a bowl to serve on the side for people to pour over their maftoul as desired for more taste.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve with an Arabic side salad.

Variations:

You can play with different spices to get the desired flavor for the maftoul and the sauce.

*maftoul can be found boxed in most Arabic grocery stores.