Mtewem

I think it’s Nostalgia!

After the Mhajeb from yesterday, I just can’t stop thinking “Algeria”. My mind is there just now.
I called my family again today, they are having a great time without me (mashaAllah!)…I feel jealous!

But I have got my ways to overcome these feelings…or at least I could try…
Mtewem…hmmmm… I can smell Algiers… 

Recipe

Ingredients:

Allow 100g/150g of mince per person if it is a side dish or accompanied by bread, rice or pasta.

500g mince (For a healthier option use beef)

Around 8 cloves of garlic (called tawm in Arabic, hence the name mtawem which translates to “the garlicky”

250g of chick peas soaked overnight

½ tsp cumin

½ tsp coriander

Black pepper

Salt

1 egg

Method:

Put the chick peas in a pot, cover with water and put to cook under low heat.

Crush the garlic and add spices and salt

Divide this mixture into 2 portions.

Add one portion to the chick peas

Add the second portion to the mince and add the egg.

Mix the mince mixture thoroughly and shape into shelled walnut size.

Add to the chick peas and cook for around 45 min or until cooked and the sauce reduced.

Take a deep breath smelling Algiers…See what I mean! Beautiful!