Taktouka Food

TAKTOUKA - MOROCCAN TOMATO AND PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat grill or grill pan to high.
• • Place the green peppers on grill and turn occasionally every 3 to 4 minutes until each side is scorched (lightly burned) and tender.
• • Remove the green peppers from the grill and set aside to cool.
• • Meanwhile, peel, deseed, and roughly chop the tomatoes into 1 inch pieces.
• • Once the green peppers have reached room temperature, peel and deseed and chop them into 1 inch pieces.
• • In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat and add the chopped tomatoes, garlic, spices, herbs, salt and sugar. Cover with a lid for 10 minutes until the tomatoes have softened. Stir occasionally.
• • Uncover, add the chopped green peppers and mix all the ingredients together. Leave to simmer gently for 10 minutes until all the liquids evaporate.
• • Enjoy warm or cold, as a dip with bread, a side, or a filling in a sandwich!

TAKTOUKA WITH BURRATA AND LIME-PARSLEY OIL

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan and add the chopped tomatoes, garlic, parsley, cilantro, paprika, cumin, salt, sugar and 2 tablespoons of water.
• Stir the ingredients together, cover the pan and cook over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes or until the tomatoes begin to soften. Stir occasionally to make sure they don't stick to the bottom of the pan.
• While the tomatoes cook, make the lime-parsley oil, if using: Combine the olive oil, lime zest and juice, granulated garlic, dried parsley, sugar and salt in a small bowl, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside until ready to serve.
• Uncover the pan and add the chopped peppers, and cover again until the peppers are just cooked, about 10 minutes. (They should hold their shape and have a light crunch). Taste the taktouka and add more salt if necessary.
• To serve, place the taktouka at the center of a rimmed serving plate. Place the burrata on top and drizzle the burrata with the lime-parsley oil, if using. Enjoy with lots of bread. You can make the taktouka in advance and serve it warm or at room temperature. If you make it in advance, keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

COOKED MOROCCAN SALAD (TAKTOUKA) OF TOMATO AND ROASTED PEPPER

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, occasionally stirring, for about 20 minutes or until the tomatoes are very soft. Adjust the heat if necessary to keep the tomatoes and peppers from burning as the liquids evaporate.
• Smash the softened vegetables with a spoon and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until the liquids are reduced to oil. At this point, the salad should be well-blended and can be stirred away from the sides of the pan.
• Serve taktouka warm or cold with crusty bread for scooping up the salad. If desired, it can be garnished with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro and a drizzle of olive oil.

MOROCCAN ZAALOUK (COOKED EGGPLANT AND TOMATO SALAD)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, parsley, paprika, cumin, salt, oil, water, and cayenne in a large deep skillet or pot. Cover and simmer over medium to medium-high heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• With a spoon or potato masher, crush and blend tomatoes and eggplant.
• Add lemon wedge to the pot, if using. Continue simmering mixture, uncovered, for 10 minutes. The lemon will give a tangy nuance but is not necessary.
• The zaalouk is ready when liquids are reduced and mixture can be stirred into a heap in the center of the pan.
• Drizzle olive oil-or chile oil if you like spicy food. Serve with sliced crusty bread.

TAKTOUKA

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a large frying pan. Cook over medium to medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are very soft. Adjust the heat if necessary to keep the tomatoes and peppers from burning.
• Smash the softened tomatoes with a spoon, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until the liquids are reduced to oil. Cook until the salad is well-blended and can be stirred away from the sides of the pan.
• Serve taktouka warm or cold with crusty bread for scooping up the salad.