Couscous is an ingredient that is the most common in Algerian food in fact it is the national food of Algeria. Couscous is steamed pasta grains. Algerian food is simple comprising of mostly staple and soups.
It has a touch of European, Arab, Turkish, and Spanish cuisine. The Arabs and Turks added spice to Algerian cuisine while Spanish and French added the infamous tomato puree in it.
Here's our list of Seven Tasty Dishes of Algeria:
1. Felfel B’tomatish
Felfel B’tomatish is Algerian for Algerian Pepper and Tomato Salad. This salad is inherited by the Algerians from their ancestors of long ago. It is a simple grilled salad with tomatoes and peppers and served with bread. It acts as an appetizer and Algeria is one of the rare parts of the world where you will find a grilled salad.
2. Rezika’s Cheese and Potato Bourek
Rezika’s Cheese and Potato Bourek are cheese and potato filled spring rolls. Spring rolls are a snack which is shared by several parts of the world. The mixture of potato and cheese melts in your mouth like anything. The rolls are crispy and the spice is well maintained so it serves as a great evening snack.
3. Mechoui
Algerians will usually cook Mechoui when there is a large gathering. Its like a bbq party for them. Mechoui is a whole roasted lamb marinated with herb butter. The skin of the lamb is crispy while the inside is all buttery and smooth. It is served with dry fruits, vegetables, and dates.
4. Drinks
Mint Tea comes to Algeria from the Arab culture which is really green tea seasoned with mint. It is offered to guests. Strong Coffee seasoned with cardamom and served with water is also popular. Children usually prefer fruit drinks or as they call it locally, Sharbats. Apricot nectar is the main fruit juice taken by children in Algeria. Sahlab, a sweet drink made from milk is also pleasing to drink.
5. Sables
Sables are a sweet dish of Algeria. They are pastry type cookies filled with fruit jam and icing sugar. Apricot jam filling and strawberry jam filling are some of the fruit fillings which are used in these cookies. Layers of jam in the cookies make it desirable and it is usually recommended for children.
6. Algerian M’shewsha
Algerian M'shewsha is a breakfast dish tasting somewhere between a fluffy cake, pancake and French toast. It’s a very fulfilling dish which is eaten by Algerians in the holy fasting month of Ramadan because it is very nutritious. It has a lot of egg in it. Its texture itself is very interesting and looks tempting to eat it.
7. Mesfouf Qsentana
Mesfouf Qsentana is a couscous based sweet dish with fruits and nuts. This dish is also served in Ramadan when the fast ends. It is incredibly tasty and healthy. One serving of couscous is enough to tempt your sweet tooth.
Other appetizing foods of Algeria include Kefta (spiced meatballs), Harira (lamb and chickpea soup), and Khubz (Mediterranean pocket bread).
Have you tried any of these dishes? Feel free to share your tips and recommendations.
Photo Credits (Flickr CC): Mechoui by fred_v/ Mint Tea by ali edwards/ Sable by manda_wong/