Algerian Chakhchoukha

Name: Algerian Chakhchoukha
Prep time: 95 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 215 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Algerian Coastal & Tellian
Ingredients: 500 g fine semolina; 500 g flour; 1 tsp salt; water; 8 lamb chops; 1 large onion; 3 garlic cloves; 2 medium carrots; 2 medium courgettes; 2 large potatoes; 0.25 swede; 1 parsnip; 1 cup chickpeas; 2 tsp ras el hanout spice mix; salt & pepper; 1 pinch dried mint; 1 tbsp sunflower oil; 1 cup liquidised tomato puree; 1.5 l water; 1 large green chili

Lamb, chickpeas and carrots simmered on the stove, with a kick of chilli.

3 hr 35 min · Serves 8 · Takes some skill

Method

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Time: Prep 95 min · Cook 120 min · 215 min total
Difficulty: hard

1
For the Khobz (bread):.
2
Put the semolina and flour in a very large but shallow bowl - a gas'a if you have one is best. Make a well in the centre and add 1/2 a glass of water. Mix enough water to create a workable dough then begin kneading. Do this (until your hands hurt! ) until the dough becomes very smooth and elastic - you can put this dough in the bread maker on dough setting to make things easier if you like. Once the dough has reached elastic stage leave it to stand for 5 minutes.
5 min
3
Take sunflower/vegetable oil etc and lightly coat work surfaces then pull off pieces of dough and form balls slightly larger than a golf ball.
4
Gently stretch these balls over the m'ri or pan and cook (approx 30 seconds). Keep the cooked bread covered with cloth or towel so it doesn't dry up and finish cooking the rest.
1 min
5
You can start tearing the bread straight away or leave it until you are finished if you are alone Depending on your personal preference/which side of Algeria you come from, you'll decide whether to tear it into smaller or larger pieces --.
6
For the Marga (sauce):. Finely chop the onion and garlic and place it in a large heavy bottomed pan with the meat or chicken and ras el hanout. Fry gently to seal the meat/chicken.
7
Chop the carrot, parsnip & courgette into 6ths. Cut the potato into 1/4's and roughly chop the swede. (Peel the carrots, potatoes, parsnip & swede).
8
Add the vegetables to the meat along with 1L of water and turn up heat so they begin simmering. If using the chilli add it now, along with salt & pepper. If cooking in a regular pan then cook for 40 minutes like this.
40 min
9
Add the tomatoes, chick peas and dried mint and 1/2L more water or enough to create a 'stew' consistency.
10
Return to heat and cook in pan for further 30 minutes and if using pressure cooker then cook on med to high for a further 25 minutes.
11
Finally, place the Khobz in a a gas'a or very large dish (or individually if preferred) and pour over the Marga (sauce) arranging the meat so that everyone has a piece.