Algerian Carrots Food

ALGERIAN CARROTS

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, and fill with 1 1/2 cups of water, or just below the bottom of the steamer. Cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the sliced carrots, reduce the heat to medium, and cover the pan again. Steam until tender but not mushy, 4 to 6 minutes depending on the thickness of the slices. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the salt, pepper, cinnamon, cumin, garlic, and thyme. Cook the spices and garlic, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add the 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid and the bay leaf, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in the carrots, tossing well to coat with the spice mixture, and cook until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice and remove the bay leaf before serving.

ALGERIAN CARROTS

Steps:

• Steam the carrots in a steamer basket for about 5 minutes, or until barely tender. Reserve 5 tbsp of the cooking water.
• Meanwhile, toast the cumin seeds in a dry skillet just until they release their fragrance. Set aside.
• In a pot that will be large enough to hold the carrots, saute the garlic in the oil for about 1 minute. Add the 5 tbsp of carrot cooking water, the hot sauce, lemon juice, cumin seed, sugar and salt. Mix well.
• Add in the carrots, partially cover and cook over med-low heat until the carrots are tender and the liquid has reduced, approximately 10 minutes. Do not let it dry out completely.
• Stir in the mint leaves and serve immediately.

ALGERIAN LENTIL SOUP (CHORBA ADAS)

Steps:

• Sauté the onion, carrots and celery with a glug of olive oil until soft. Add the garlic, spices and tomatoes and cook for a further 2 minutes.
• Add the lentil, stock, salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 30 mins or until lentils are soft.
• Squeeze on the lemon and add the chopped Corriander.

WOW - ALGERIAN CHAKHCHOUKHA - FAMILY RECIPE!

Steps:

• Method For the Khobz (bread):.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• You can start tearing the bread straight away or leave it until you are finished if you are alone (I say this because it is best done with 2 people - one cooking one tearing!) Depending on your personal preference/which side of Algeria you come from, you'll decide whether to tear it into smaller or larger pieces --.
• Method 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. I use my pressure cooker for this.
• 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).
• 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. If using the pressure cooker as I do then 20 minutes will be enough.
• Add the tomatoes, chick peas and dried mint and 1/2L more water or enough to create a 'stew' consistency.
• 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.
• 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.

ALGERIAN ' ZRODIYA MCHARMLA' - CARROTS WITH VINEGAR

Steps:

• Peel and slice the carrots into rounds; boil in lightly salted water until just tender.
• Meanwhile prepare the 'dersa' (sauce). In a grinder or mortar and pestle, grind the garlic, hot pepper and red pepper (paprika) with the caraway seeds and some salt (to taste).
• Add 1 tbsp water to the sauce. Mix the sauce with the oil and combine well. Drain the carrots. Pour the sauce over the carrots and return to to a low heat. Cover and cook on low for a few minutes to allow the carrots time to take on the flavour of the sauce.
• Add the vinegar and serve hot or cold (room temp!).