Seffa (Moroccan Sweet Couscous with Cinnamon)

About This Recipe

Seffa is a Moroccan sweet couscous dish, steamed until light and fluffy, then tossed with melted butter, cinnamon, and powdered sugar, and topped with toasted almonds and sometimes raisins. It occupies a flexible place in Moroccan cuisine -- served as a celebratory dish at weddings, as a comforting breakfast, or even as a side alongside savory tagines in some households, where the sweetness is meant to contrast with rich, spiced meat. The technique that makes seffa work is the traditional multi-steaming method used for all Moroccan couscous: the grains are steamed in a couscoussier (or a steamer basket) over a simmering pot, then removed and raked with wet hands or a fork to separate the grains and prevent clumping, before being steamed again. This process, repeated two or three times, is what gives properly made couscous its signature light, fluffy texture rather than the gummy result of simply soaking it in hot water. Served warm, dusted generously with cinnamon and sugar in decorative lines, and topped with toasted almonds, seffa is a dish that signals celebration and hospitality in Moroccan homes.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 2 cupsmedium couscous
• 2.5 cupswater(warm, for steaming)
• 0.5 tspsalt
• 4 tbspbutter(melted)
• 0.33 cuppowdered sugar(plus extra for dusting)
• 1.5 tspground cinnamon(plus extra for dusting)
• 0.5 cupblanched almonds
• 2 tbspraisins(optional)
• 1 cupwarm milk(for serving, optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Hydrate the couscous

   Spread couscous in a wide dish, sprinkle with salted warm water, and let sit 10 minutes, then rake with your fingers to break up clumps.

2. 2

   Steam

   Steam the couscous over simmering water in a steamer basket or couscoussier for 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Rake and re-steam

   Turn the couscous out into a wide dish, drizzle with a little water, and rake with a fork or wet hands to separate grains. Return to the steamer for another 15 minutes.

4. 4

   Toast the almonds

   While couscous steams, toast almonds in a dry pan over medium heat 3-4 minutes until golden. Roughly chop half and leave the rest whole.

5. 5

   Season

   Turn the finished couscous into a large bowl and toss with melted butter until every grain is coated and glossy.

6. 6

   Serve

   Mound the couscous on a serving platter, dust generously with powdered sugar and cinnamon in decorative lines, and scatter with toasted almonds and raisins. Serve with warm milk on the side if desired.

Variations

• •

  Add plumped raisins soaked in warm water for extra sweetness and chew.

• •

  Serve with a bowl of warm milk poured over individual portions, a common way to eat seffa for breakfast.

• •

  Use toasted walnuts or pistachios instead of almonds for a different nutty flavor.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat by steaming again briefly or microwaving with a damp paper towel over the bowl to restore moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions