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Berkoukes (Large Hand-Rolled Semolina Pearls in Spicy Tomato Broth)
Plump semolina pearls simmered in a robust, spiced tomato and fenugreek broth enriched with tender lamb and chickpeas.
The story
In eastern Morocco and the arid plains of Oujda, Berkoukes is the quintessential winter comfort dish, traditionally prepared to warm communal gatherings and restore strength to postpartum mothers. The large hand-rolled semolina pellets (aych) swell vigorously to absorb a fiery broth spiked with ras el hanout, smen, and wild fenugreek. Master cooks know that simmering whole fenugreek seeds briefly before crushing them tempers their sharp bitterness while yielding an intoxicating herbal depth.
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