Making the couscous:

1. Season the water with salt, olive oil and saffron, and bring to a boil.

2. Wash and clean the vegetables, and cut in equal sized cubes.

3. Mix the spices and the honey with the vegetables, and roast them in the oven at 165°C until soft. This will take around 35 minutes. 

4. Peel and brunoise the onions.

5. Heat oil in a pan and roast the chopped garlic briefly. Then add the diced onions.

6. Cook until the onions are soft and stop before they get any colour.

7. Pour the boiling water on the couscous, add the raisins, and rest for 10 minutes covered.

8. With a fork, break the couscous, and fluff it.

9. Add roasted vegetables to the couscous, and chopped mint and coriander. Mix well.

10. Heat up the couscous in a pan with extra olive oil, when you are ready to serve.

Note: This couscous recipe makes a bulk portion. 

Making the seabass and plating:

1. Pan fry the seabass skin side down for 5 minutes. Fry on the other side for a minute.  

2. Grill the asparagus.

3. To plate, add a generous portion of the couscous, and top it with the asparagus and seabass. Garnish wit roasted cherry tomatoes.

Chef Roberto Toffoli

He is the Head Chef at voco Dubai, The Palm

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