Lebanese Style Pork with Ras El Hanout, Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce in Warm Pitas with Moroccan Couscous Salad

Ras el Hanout is a unique spice blend that you see in a lot of Middle-Eastern and Moroccan cusine. You can buy the spice blend or make one that is similar with spices you already have on hand. I like to toast my spices until fragrant and then grind them myself in a spice grinder. My blend contains:

1 Tbsp ground corriander
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp ground cardamom
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp ground ginger
                                          1 tsp ground fennel seed
                                          1 tsp ground nutmeg

I make these flatbreads with pork shoulder which is obviously not authentic since most people in Middle-Eastern countries do not eat pork. Traditionally it's made with beef or lamb which tend to be much more expensive. I love pork, but organic pork is hard to find and expensive. An important thing to remember when buying pork,  by USDA standards pork is never allowed to contain hormones. Can antibiotics and hormones be used in pork raising? http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Pork_From_Farm_to_Table/index.asp#2.
Now this doesn't mean the meat was sustainably raised and the pig had a good life. It just means that the meat I am eating does not contain hormones like a lot of non-organic beef does. Keep that in mind if organic, sustainably raised pork is out of your budget.                                        

Equipment: Large dutch oven (similar to a Le Creuset), grill pan, 2 qt. saucepan

Braised Pork

3 1/2 lbs boneless pork shoulder - diced into 2 in chunks -- $5.92 @ 1.69/lb
2 Tbsp Ras el Hanout blend -- $0.10
1 Tbsp Kosher Salt -- $0.02
2 Tbsp olive oil  -- $0.10
1/2 medium onion - rough chop -- $0.33
3 garlic cloves - smashed -- $0.10
1 jalapeno pepper - seeds removed and rough chop -- $0.21
1 cup chicken broth or water -- $0.75
                                             ---------------
                                                $7.53

Preheat oven to 350*

In a large mixing bowl, mix pork pieces with spices, salt and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Set aside. In large dutch oven heat 1 Tbsp olive oil, saute onions for about 3 minutes on medium heat. Add smashed garlic and jalapeno and saute for additional minute. Add pork pieces and cook for about 5 minutes until pork has light-brown color. Add chicken stock and cook until broth begins to simmer, additional 5 minutes. Cover and cook in the oven for 1 hour. After an hour remove lid and cook for 15 more minutes. Pork should be tender and shred easily and sauce should be reduced and glaze the pork.

Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce

2 Persian cucumber or 1/2 English cucumber - sliced in half and then sliced thin half moons -- $0.50
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt -- $1.25
                                         --------------
                                             $1.75

Mix sliced cucumbers with yogurt. Season with salt and pepper.

Moroccan Couscous Salad


2 cups quick-cooking couscous (I like whole wheat) can be found at Trader Joe's -- $1.35
1/2 cup raisins -- $0.40
1 1/2 cups boiling chicken stock or water -- $1.00
1/4 cup olive oil -- $0.20
1/3 cup slivered almonds -- $0.83
1/2 medium onion - small dice (the other half) -- $0.33
1/2 cup green onions (scallions) - sliced thin -- $0.43
1 15 ounce can of cooked chickpeas -- $0.79
12 ounce jar roasted red peppers - sliced into 1 inch strips -- $1.99
1 lemon - juiced -- $0.27
2 tsp cumin -- $0.03
                                        --------------
                                           $7.62

Bring water or stock to a boil in 2qt saucepan. Place couscous and raisins in a large bowl. Pour boiling stock over dry couscous. Let stand for 5 minutes.

In the same saucepan heat 1/4 cup olive oil on medium heat. Add slivered almonds. Cook until golden, about 3-5 minutes. This part goes very quickly, do not step away from the stove. Remove nuts using a slotted spoon. Add nuts to couscous. In the same saucepan cook diced onions until translucent about 5 minutes. Add to couscous along with all the olive oil. Add green onions, chickpeas, red peppers, lemon juice, cumin and salt. Stir until combined. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Grilled Flatbreads -- 2 per person x 4 people = $2.00

Brush whole wheat flatbreads or pits with olive oil. Grill eat side on medium heat for 3 minutes per side. These can also be toasted in the oven.

                                    Total cost of entire meal = $18.90

* This is more than the $15.58 I usually spend but there were enough leftovers of both the pork and couscous salad for Maille and I to eat the next day.

How to modify for:
Vegetarians: Replace pork with 1 large eggplant cut into 2 inch pieces. Follow the same cooking process but substitute vegetable stock. Cook for 30 minutes instead of 1 hour. For the couscous salad substitute water for chicken stock.
Vegans:  Replace pork with 1 large eggplant cut into 2 inch pieces. Follow the same cooking process but substitute vegetable stock. Cook for 30 minutes instead of 1 hour. For the couscous salad substitute water for chicken stock. Instead of yogurt sauce mix the cucumbers with white wine vinegar, 1 tsp olive oil and salt and pepper.
Lactose intolerance: Try using sheep's milk yogurt, like Old Chatham's Farm. It does not contain lactose. It can be purchased at Whole Foods, Wegman's or online.
Gluten intolerance: Instead of couscous try this recipe with quinoa. What is quinoa? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa. Omit the grilled flatbread.