Ingredients

  • 2 small onions, chopped fine
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
  • 4 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 11/2 cups water
  • 1/2 pound merguez cut in half
  • 2 carrots, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • 2 turnip, peeled and cut 11/2-inch-thick wedges
  • 2 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup canned chick-peas, rinsed well and drained
  • 1 1/2 cups couscous

Method

  • In a heavy saucepan cook the onion in1 tablespoon of the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the turmeric, and the red pepper flakes, and cook the mixture, stirring for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, the broth, the water, the broth, the merguez, the carrot, the turnip, the cinnamon stick, and the bay leaf and simmer the mixture, covered, for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Add the chick-peas and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.
  • Strain 1 cup of the cooking liquid into a small saucepan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Stir in the couscous, remove the pan from the heat, and let the mixture stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
  • Fluff the couscous with a fork, divide it between 2 plates, and make a well in the center of each serving.
  • Transfer the meat and vegetables with a slotted spoon to the wells and serve the remaining cooking broth separately to moisten the dish as desired.