Lebanese Moghrabieh

5 from 60 votes

Lebanese Moghrabieh is a satiating and tantalising dish of pearl couscous with chickpeas simmered in warm spices and sweet caramelized onions.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Lebanese, Middle Eastern

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 441kcal

1 cup Dry Moghrabieh aka pearl couscous
4 cups Vegetable stock (2½ cups to cook Moghrabieh, then 1½ cups to add later. Reserve an additional ½–1 cup if needed, see notes)
10 small Onions (French shallots or boiling onions, peeled and left whole)
2 cups Chickpeas
1 tablespoon Ground Caraway
½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon Lebanese 7 spice (allspice is a good alternative)
½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
½ teaspoon Black pepper
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 tablespoon Dairy free butter
1 pinch Salt or to taste

In a large pot over high heat, melt the dairy-free butter with the olive oil. Add the whole onions and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until translucent and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the onions from the pot and set aside.
1 tablespoon Olive oil, 1 tablespoon Dairy free butter, 10 small Onions
In the same pot, add the Moghrabieh and 2½ cups of vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
1 cup Dry Moghrabieh, 4 cups Vegetable stock
Add the chickpeas, browned onions, and all the spices. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Pour in 1½ cups of vegetable stock, reduce the heat to low-medium, and cook covered for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Season with salt to taste. Serve warm, either in a bowl or wrapped in pita bread.
2 cups Chickpeas, 1 tablespoon Ground Caraway, ½ teaspoon Ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon Lebanese 7 spice, ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin, ½ teaspoon Black pepper, 1 pinch Salt

Having an additional reserve of ½ to 1 cup of water allows you to adjust the consistency of your moghrabieh to make it soupier if desired.

When the pearl couscous are cooked they will double in size.