Leek Cheese Couscous Cake Recipes

LEEK & CHEESE COUSCOUS CAKE

Steps:

• Pour 450mls (scant 2 cups) of boiling water over the couscous in a heatproof bowl.
• Cover and allow to stand until all the water is absorbed, about 15mins.
• Heat 1Tbsp of the oil in a frypan and cook the leeks until they are tender.
• Remove leeks from pan with a slotted spoon and then stir them into the couscous.
• Add the grated cheese and salt & pepper to taste. Stir to mix.
• Heat remaining oil in frypan and add mixture, pressing down to flatten to form a cake.
• Cook over a gentle heat heat until underside is crisp & golden (about 15mins).
• Slide out onto a plate then invert back into pan to cook other side for about another 5-8 minutes.
• Slide out of pan and cut into wedges to serve.

RED PEPPER AND CHEESE COUSCOUS CAKE

Steps:

• Put the couscous into a large heatproof bowl. Stir together the vegetable broth, lime juice and a good grinding of black pepper, then pour over the couscous. Leave for 15 minutes until all the broth has been absorbed.
• Heat a splash of the olive oil in a 9in non-stick frying pan. Stir the red pepper strips, cheese, egg and chives into the couscous, then tip into the pan and pat down well into a cake.
• Cook over a gentle heat for 15 minutes, without touching, until the base is crisp and golden.
• Carefully slide the couscous cake on to a plate, then invert back into the pan, adding the rest of the oil if needed. Cook for a further 10 minutes or so until the other side is golden.
• Slide back on to the plate and cut into wedges to serve.

HERBED COUSCOUS CAKES WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, using your hands, mix the couscous, eggs, parsley, onions, basil, cheese, lemon zest, and salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the mixture with the flour and mix again.
• Form the cakes to the size you want, I made cakes about 2" round.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet and fry the cakes until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on the first side and 2 minutes on the other side.
• Remove from the pan and let them drain on paper towels to remove some of the oil before plating up.
• Salt and pepper again to taste.

COUSCOUS CAKES WITH TOMATO-GARLIC RAGOUT

Steps:

• Put the water into a saucepan over high heat.
• When the water comes to a boil, add the salt, pepper, and couscous.
• Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
• Fluff the couscous by lightly running a fork or whisk back and forth in the pan, starting with the top layer and gradually working your way down.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs; slowly whisk in the flour.
• With a spoon, stir in the parsley and the blue cheese.
• Add the couscous and chill the batter for 30 minutes.
• SAUCE:.
• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil; add the onion.
• Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the garlic and sauté for 5 minutes more.
• Add the tomatoes, white wine, and water.
• Let the ragout simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until it has the consistency of a thick sauce.
• Season it with salt and pepper and keep it warm.
• When the couscous mixture has cooled, heat a large skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat.
• When the oil is hot, drop couscous batter onto the skillet to form 3-inch cakes.
• Sear them on one side for about 3 minutes, or until the undersides are golden brown.
• Flip them with a spatula and sear them on the other side, for about 3 minutes.
• Remove the cakes to a plate and add more batter to the pan.
• Continue making cakes until all the couscous batter is used.
• You should have 3 cakes per person.
• Serve the cakes hot on top of the warmed tomato-garlic ragout.

LEEK CAKES

Steps:

• Prepare the batter. Mix the leaks into it.
• Fry like little pancakes in a bit of olive oil.

COUSCOUS CAKES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the couscous, cilantro, egg, egg yolk, coriander, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Mix until combined.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Form 1/4 cupfuls of the mixture into 8 patties. Add 4 of the patties to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes each side until golden. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining couscous mixture.
• Serve the couscous cakes with mango chutney.