Morrocan Braised Beef

Just got The Best of Clean Eating 2 for Christmas, and this was my first recipe that I tweaked from it....and it was AWESOME!

Word on Bart's picks: I find my husband to be somewhat of a food connoisseur, and a picky eater :) . So when he loves something, I am thrilled!! He LOVED this and said that it might be the best thing he has ever eaten. Now I won't go that far, but it was very good!

Ingredients:
1 small orange, zested and juiced
1 lb organic beef stew meat
sea salt and black pepper to taste
olive or coconut oil
1/2 med onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tomato, chopped
2 Tbsp tomato paste3 cups low sodium, free range organic chicken broth
2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
12 dried plums
1 cup cous cous
handful of green onions or scallions

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cut beef into 1 inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste (approx 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper). In large, oven proof pot with lid, heat 2 tsp oil. Add as much beef as you can without crowding pot. Brown beef on both sides. Transfer to plate and repeat till all beef browned.
3. Once beef removed from pot, add onion and garlic. Cook to tender, about 5 min. Add cumin, paprika, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne. Stir and cook for 2 min. Add tomato and tomato paste, cook for two more min.
4. Add 2 cups broth and orange zest and juice. Bring to simmer, then add beef and any juices. As soon as liquid returns to simmer, cover and transfer to oven; cook for 45 min.
5. Remove pot and add remaining 1 cup broth, carrots, parsnips. Cover and return to oven for 25 min.
6. Remove pot and add plums. Return to oven and cook for 15-20 more min. Check seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.
7. About 15 min before beef is done, bring 1 cup of water and 1/4 tsp salt to boil. Stir in cous cous, cover, remove from heat and set aside for 5-10 min.
8. Top cous cous with beef mixture and scallions. Serve and DELIGHT in it!!

Caveat: original recipe also called for turnips, which would be tasty! Also, check your prunes and your seasonings if you are gluten intolerant!