| 1 | Soak the chickpeas overnight in four times their volume of water in a noncorrisble bowl. |
| 2 | Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed 5- to 7-quart pot. |
| 3 | Cut the lamb into 1-inch cubes. |
| 4 | Brown them (in batches, if necessary) on all sides over moderate heat. |
| 5 | Transfer the meat to a warm platter. |
| 6 | Reduce the temperature to low and saute the onions for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. |
| 7 | Add the lamb, boiling water, lemon juice, tomatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf, mint, salt, and pepper. |
| 8 | Stir, cover, and simmer the mixture vfor 20 minutes. |
| 9 | Drain the chickpeas and stir them into the lamb mixture. |
| 10 | Simmer the ingredients, covered, for 45 minutes. |
| 11 | Begin this step 5 minutes before step 6 is completed. |
| 12 | Peel the carrots and turnips. |
| 13 | Cut the carrots into ?inch long segments and the turnips into ?inch cubes. |
| 14 | When step 6 is completed, stir these ingredients into the pot containing the lamb. |
| 15 | Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. |
| 16 | Begin this step as soon as the carrots and turnips start simmering in step Put the couscous pellets in a 2- to 3-quart pan. |
| 17 | Pour cold tap water into the pan until it reaches a depth of 1 inch above the pellets. |
| 18 | Soak the pellets for 10 minutes. |
| 19 | Pour the couscous into a sieve, discarding the water. |
| 20 | Return the couscous to its soaking pan. |
| 21 | Slowly strain two cups of the broth from the large pot into the couscous. |
| 22 | Bring this mixture to a simmer. |
| 23 | Cover, and cook for 5 minutes over low heat. |
| 24 | 10. |
| 25 | Slice the zucchini into 3-inch cuves and the peppers into ?inch-thick rings. |
| 26 | When step 7 is completed, stir in both ingredients and simmer the mixture, covered, for 10 minutes. |
| 27 | 1It should be time to turn off the heat under the simmering couscous pellets as soon as the zucchini-and-pepper mixture starts simmering in step 10. |
| 28 | Fluff the pellets, cover the pan, and let it stand for 8 minutes. |
| 29 | Then pour off any remaining liquid. |
| 30 | 1Mound the couscous pellets in the center of a warm, large serving platter. |
| 31 | Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat and vegetables from the pot and neatly arrange them around the mound. |
| 32 | Serves 6 to 8 |
