{"id":"recipe_e19196d866","slug":"seffa-sweet-steamed-couscous","title":"Seffa (Sweet Steamed Couscous)","description":"A festive Moroccan dessert featuring delicate, fluffy steamed couscous pearls adorned with patterns of ground cinnamon, toasted almonds, and powdered sugar, often served at celebrations.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g fine couscous","name":"Couscous","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"fine grain","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"60g unsalted butter","name":"Butter","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"softened","notes":"unsalted","group":"finishing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"100g powdered sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"powdered","notes":"plus extra for decoration","group":"flavoring","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"100g raisins","name":"Raisins","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"whole","notes":"soaked for 10 minutes","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"100g toasted almonds","name":"Almonds","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"crushed","notes":"fried or toasted until golden","group":"garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tbsp ground cinnamon","name":"Cinnamon","quantity":12,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"for decoration","group":"garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tbsp orange blossom water","name":"Orange Blossom Water","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"flavoring","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 tbsp vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"to coat couscous","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"500ml water","name":"Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for sprinkling between steamings","group":"base","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the couscous in a large wide bowl (Gassa). Sprinkle with vegetable oil and salt. Use your hands to rub the oil into the grains to ensure they are all coated, preventing clumping.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the couscous","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Fill the bottom of a couscoussier with water and bring to a boil (100°C (212°F)). Place the couscous in the steamer basket, set it over the boiling water, and steam for 20 minutes once the steam begins to rise through the grains.","group":"First Steaming","title":"Fill the bottom of a couscoussier","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"First Steaming"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Return the couscous to the bowl. Gradually sprinkle 1 cup of water over it while using a fork or your hands to break up any lumps and fluff the grains. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the moisture.","group":"Hydration","title":"Return the couscous","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Hydration"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Steam the couscous for a second time for another 20 minutes.","group":"Second Steaming","title":"Steam the couscous","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Second Steaming"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Return to the bowl again. Sprinkle with another cup of water and the orange blossom water. Mix in the raisins. Let it rest for 5 minutes.","group":"Second Hydration","title":"Return to the bowl again","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Second Hydration"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Steam for the third and final time for 15-20 minutes until the couscous and raisins are very tender.","group":"Final Steaming","title":"Steam for the third and final time","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Final Steaming"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Transfer the hot couscous to the bowl. Fold in the butter and half of the powdered sugar until fully melted and combined.","group":"Finishing","title":"Transfer the hot couscous","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"Mound the couscous into a cone shape on a serving platter. Create diagonal lines of ground cinnamon and crushed toasted almonds on the sides. Place a small mound of powdered sugar at the peak.","group":"Plating","title":"Mound the couscous","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Plating"}],"notes":"Seffa is traditionally served in a large communal dish. It is common to serve a bowl of cold milk on the side to pour over individual portions. The multiple steaming process is essential for the light, melt-in-the-mouth texture.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Moroccan"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["steam"],"equipment":["couscoussier","large bowl","serving platter"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1.2,"unit":"kg","note":"Total prepared weight"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The almonds can be toasted and crushed days in advance. The couscous can be steamed through the second stage and kept refrigerated."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover Seffa in an airtight container in the fridge. Re-steam for 5-10 minutes to regain fluffiness.","reheatingNotes":"Avoid reheating in a microwave as it can make the couscous rubbery; steaming is best."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e19196d866%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1d3b75f9-cc83-4965-a9c0-6d67947cad65","imageAlt":"Seffa (Sweet Steamed Couscous) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["moroccan","couscous","sweet","festive","traditional","steamed"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Seffa (Sweet Steamed Couscous)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:37:47.362Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:37:47.362Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_ff7317ca1a","slug":"basbousa-egyptian-b8fb751d","title":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup","description":"A traditional Middle Eastern and North African semolina cake, soaked in a fragrant simple syrup and topped with almonds. It is moist, dense, and perfectly sweet.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":55,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","North African"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ff7317ca1a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f949f5dc-d4a5-4104-96cc-149b15f42f44","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","sweet","cake","traditional","middle eastern","dessert"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":6},{"id":"bofrot_60aa63f14d","slug":"bofrot","title":"Bofrot","description":"A classic West African deep-fried dough snack, particularly popular in Ghana, known for its golden-brown exterior and soft, spongy interior.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbofrot_60aa63f14d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc35737d-86e3-4bfe-8e36-ea51c85bda98","imageAlt":"Bofrot — recipe cover","tags":["west african","street food","fried dough","spongy","sweet snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"bouye_f6c3b55cf7","slug":"bouye-baobab-fruit-drink","title":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink)","description":"A thick, creamy, and tangy traditional West African drink made from the nutrient-dense fruit of the baobab tree.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Senegalese"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbouye_f6c3b55cf7%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e6898e06-d939-4b3d-8e31-692c9553c209","imageAlt":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink) — recipe cover","tags":["baobab","african drink","senegalese","creamy","vitamin c","exotic juice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}