Recipes from North Africa

North Africa has long been a crossroads of cultures and cuisines. As a result, it's a region known for its flavor-packed dishes redolent with intriguing spices and flavors, from jammy Moroccan crêpes to honey- and rosewater-soaked Tunisian pastries.

Djej Besla (Chicken and Onion Tagine)

Chicken is smothered in stewed onions and flavored with saffron, turmeric, lemon, and olives for a satisfying one-pot dish.

Fried Almond Pastries (Samsa Feuille de Brick)
Fried Almond Pastries (Samsa Feuille de Brick)

Sticky-sweet almond pastries drenched in a syrup of honey and orange flower water are typical of the rustic desserts of Tunisia. Get the recipe for Fried Almond Pastries (Samsa Feuille de Brick) »

Algerian Crepes (Mahjouba)
Algerian Crepes (Mahjouba)

Algerian Crepes (Mahjouba)

Mechwiya (Roasted Pepper Salad)

Mechwiya, a tart pepper relish from north Africa, is a great topping for lamb kebabs and other sandwiches. See the recipe for Mechwiya (Roasted Pepper Salad) »

Moroccan Pasta Salad
Moroccan Pasta Salad

The flavors of a richly spiced Moroccan tagine come together in a pasta salad accented with olive, lemon, and cinnamon.

Preserved Lemons

As lemons cure in a salty, spicy brine, their flesh softens and sweetens; after a month, they’re ready to be finely chopped and added to everything from Moroccan tagines to vinaigrettes. See the recipe for Preserved Lemons »

Kefta Tagine (Lamb Meatball and Egg Tagine)

The flavors of cumin- and paprika-spiced kefta (lamb meatballs), baked eggs, and kalamata olives mingle together for a flavorful, elegant tagine. See the recipe for Kefta Tagine (Lamb Meatball and Egg Tagine) »

Moroccan Mint Tea

Sweetened mint tea is served throughout North Africa; we love it both hot and iced. See the recipe for Moroccan Mint Tea »

Best Jewish Recipes
Chreime (Spicy Tunisian Fish Stew)
Beef Rib and Meatball Stew (T'fina Pkaila)
Beef Rib and Meatball Stew (T'fina Pkaila)

This traditional Tunisian stew is packed with flavor from tender beef spare ribs, cilantro-spiked meatballs, and spinach.

Djaj Mqualli (Chicken, Olive, and Lemon Tagine)

Tagine, a type of Moroccan stew, shares its name with the terra cotta pot it’s traditionally cooked in; here, braised chicken, green olives, and lemons simmer together in a sauce fragrant with ginger and coriander. See the recipe for Djaj Mqualli (Chicken, Olive, and Lemon Tagine) »

North African–style lamb sausages are served on a platter with a cool yogurt sauce, chopped vegetables, and flat bread. See the recipe for Spiced Lamb Sausages »

Casse-Croute Tunisien
Casse-Croute Tunisien

Casse-Croute Tunisien, a North African take on a French pan bagnat, requires two hands and a big appetite. Get the recipe for Casse-Croute Tunisien »

Moroccan Potato Salad
Moroccan Potato Salad

Bright and aromatic with plenty of fresh parsley, this potato salad is definitive of Moroccan cuisine.

Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce
Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce

This classic Israeli breakfast, a dish of Libyan origin, can be served as a main course for any meal of the day. See the Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce recipe »

Stewed Fava Beans (Ful Medames)
Stewed Fava Beans (Ful Medames)

Best known as Egypt’s national dish, ful medames is a hearty stew of warmed fava beans stirred with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic.

Moroccan Chicken With Carrot Puree

A mix of spicy, sweet, and bitter flavors gives this dish its distinctive character. See the recipe for Moroccan Chicken With Carrot Puree »

Harissa

Our version of this staple north African condiment is made with caraway, cumin, mint, and lemon juice. See the recipe for Harissa »

Honey-Braised Lamb Shanks (Mrouzia)
LANDON NORDEMAN
Travel

Recipes from North Africa

North Africa has long been a crossroads of cultures and cuisines. As a result, it's a region known for its flavor-packed dishes redolent with intriguing spices and flavors, from jammy Moroccan crêpes to honey- and rosewater-soaked Tunisian pastries.

Djej Besla (Chicken and Onion Tagine)

Chicken is smothered in stewed onions and flavored with saffron, turmeric, lemon, and olives for a satisfying one-pot dish.

Fried Almond Pastries (Samsa Feuille de Brick)
Fried Almond Pastries (Samsa Feuille de Brick)

Sticky-sweet almond pastries drenched in a syrup of honey and orange flower water are typical of the rustic desserts of Tunisia. Get the recipe for Fried Almond Pastries (Samsa Feuille de Brick) »

Algerian Crepes (Mahjouba)
Algerian Crepes (Mahjouba)

Algerian Crepes (Mahjouba)

Mechwiya (Roasted Pepper Salad)

Mechwiya, a tart pepper relish from north Africa, is a great topping for lamb kebabs and other sandwiches. See the recipe for Mechwiya (Roasted Pepper Salad) »

Moroccan Pasta Salad
Moroccan Pasta Salad

The flavors of a richly spiced Moroccan tagine come together in a pasta salad accented with olive, lemon, and cinnamon.

Preserved Lemons

As lemons cure in a salty, spicy brine, their flesh softens and sweetens; after a month, they’re ready to be finely chopped and added to everything from Moroccan tagines to vinaigrettes. See the recipe for Preserved Lemons »

Kefta Tagine (Lamb Meatball and Egg Tagine)

The flavors of cumin- and paprika-spiced kefta (lamb meatballs), baked eggs, and kalamata olives mingle together for a flavorful, elegant tagine. See the recipe for Kefta Tagine (Lamb Meatball and Egg Tagine) »

Moroccan Mint Tea

Sweetened mint tea is served throughout North Africa; we love it both hot and iced. See the recipe for Moroccan Mint Tea »

Best Jewish Recipes
Chreime (Spicy Tunisian Fish Stew)
Beef Rib and Meatball Stew (T'fina Pkaila)
Beef Rib and Meatball Stew (T'fina Pkaila)

This traditional Tunisian stew is packed with flavor from tender beef spare ribs, cilantro-spiked meatballs, and spinach.

Djaj Mqualli (Chicken, Olive, and Lemon Tagine)

Tagine, a type of Moroccan stew, shares its name with the terra cotta pot it’s traditionally cooked in; here, braised chicken, green olives, and lemons simmer together in a sauce fragrant with ginger and coriander. See the recipe for Djaj Mqualli (Chicken, Olive, and Lemon Tagine) »

North African–style lamb sausages are served on a platter with a cool yogurt sauce, chopped vegetables, and flat bread. See the recipe for Spiced Lamb Sausages »

Casse-Croute Tunisien
Casse-Croute Tunisien

Casse-Croute Tunisien, a North African take on a French pan bagnat, requires two hands and a big appetite. Get the recipe for Casse-Croute Tunisien »

Moroccan Potato Salad
Moroccan Potato Salad

Bright and aromatic with plenty of fresh parsley, this potato salad is definitive of Moroccan cuisine.

Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce
Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce

This classic Israeli breakfast, a dish of Libyan origin, can be served as a main course for any meal of the day. See the Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce recipe »

Stewed Fava Beans (Ful Medames)
Stewed Fava Beans (Ful Medames)

Best known as Egypt’s national dish, ful medames is a hearty stew of warmed fava beans stirred with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic.

Moroccan Chicken With Carrot Puree

A mix of spicy, sweet, and bitter flavors gives this dish its distinctive character. See the recipe for Moroccan Chicken With Carrot Puree »

Harissa

Our version of this staple north African condiment is made with caraway, cumin, mint, and lemon juice. See the recipe for Harissa »

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