Couscous is way more than just a dish; it's a sharing ritual, a UNESCO-listed intangible heritage, and a symphony of techniques and flavours. This immersive training aims to pass on this ancestral know-how in all its richness, combining technical rigour, cultural understanding, and creativity.
After the training, you'll be able to:
Master the basic techniques of preparing grains for a perfect texture.
Create and balance an aromatic broth and tasty side dishes.
Understand and adapt the main regional variations.
Organise the work for a successful and friendly service.
Give a personal interpretation while respecting the spirit of the dish.
Knowledge of raw materials:
The different types of semolina (fine, medium, coarse, whole), their origin and use.
The role of olive oil, fermented butter (smen), and salt.
The sacred gesture: the first work by hand ('Ader or first work): Moistening, rolling the grains in the palm of the hand to separate them, incorporating flour. Learning about touch and texture.
Steam cooking: Mastering the couscous pot (kiskes, ftéra, or borma). The importance of sealing, timing the steaming and moistening steps, and controlling the steam.
Heart and Soul: Broths & Garnishes
The alchemy of spices: Deciphering ras el hanout, using long pepper, ginger, cinnamon, and saffron. Balance between warmth, sweetness, and fragrance.
Broth techniques:
Red broth (Marga): Tomato, tomato paste, onion, strong spices.
Vegetables: Add them in order of cooking time (carrots, turnips, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, pre-soaked chickpeas).
Balance: How vegetables flavour the broth and vice versa.