Algerian Mchewek – My Traditional Family Recipe!
Mchewek are small balls of mainly almond filling which are moist and slightly chewy on the inside while crisp on the outside. Simple to make but incredibly delicious…
Makrout a Louz – Algerian Almond Cakes
Delicious little diamonds of tangy almond delight! Easy to make and very much appreciated by all. Perfect for Eid celebrations or any special (or not so special!) ocassion. I also make these using a mix of desiccated coconut & ground almonds – 150g ground almonds + 200g desiccated coconut. You can freeze these and then put the syrup and icing sugar on later. I like to make a few things in advance so I’m not cooking 24/7 just before Eid etc.
Algerian Helouwa Ta’aba (Lemon or Sesame Cookies)
Helouwa Ta’aba are very traditional, lovely simple cookies from Algeria. They should be quite hard, but if you prefer them a little softer then take them out of the oven at 20 minutes. There are 2 versions of this recipe, one flavoured with lemon & the other is plain but topped with sesame seeds. Both versions are below. This particluar recipe is our family recipe & is DH’s all time favourite helouwa as it is not too sweet (so he can eat more lol!)
Algerian Garantita / Karanteta – Chickpea / Garbanzo Souffle
Garantita is one of the most famous dishes in Algeria. It is made in every home & is a very popular ‘fast food’. Traditionally, it is cooked until just firm around the edges, golden on top & nice and squishy in the middle (a BIT like souffle), then sliced (with difficulty!) & placed in a baguette with harissa. Chickpea flour is readily available in all Indian grocers (also known as Besan) or in Middle Eastern grocers. You can also make your own by grinding dry chick peas. This is our much requested family recipe……
Traditional Algerian Sables (Cookies) – Like Linzer Augen
This is my own family recipe for the traditional Algerian ‘Sables’ cookies. These sables are very easy to make & are a real favourite in our home. We like them with strawberry jam filling & icing sugar dusting or with apricot jam filing & dessicated coconut finish… but you can use any of your favourite preserves (if they have fruit pieces in you should sieve them before using. I have a special 4cm fluted sables cutter but you can use any cutters. I oftern use star cutters then punch out the small round centre by using a small metal bottle top (like on food colourings), or round cutter & using a small star, heart or flower cutter for the centre. These sables freeze nicely in layers separated by parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container. Allow to defrost in a single layer then dust the tops & fill with jam.
