Tunisian Mechouia Salad Food

GRILLED TUNISIAN SALADE (SALATA MECHOUIA)

Steps:

• 1. Recipe Method: 1) Grill the red peppers until the skins are blackended. If you have a gas stove you can char the skins over one of the rings. Set aside then peel and core when they are cool enough to handle.
• 2. 2) Meanwhile place the chilli, garlic and tomatoes in a roasting dish and roast in a hot oven until the garlic is soft. You can remove the skins from the tomatoes and de-seed the chilli at this point if you wish.
• 3. 3) Place all the vegetables in a blender or food processor - alternatively strain through a sieve.
• 4. 4) Gently heat the caraway seeds and oil in a frying pan until fragrant. Then add to the vegetables and whiz to a paste.
• 5. 5) Chill before serving. Serve in a bowl with quarters of hard boiled eggs, chunks of tuna fish or black olives.

TUNISIAN 'MECHOUIA' SALAD

Steps:

• Halve and de-seed the peppers; de-seed and finely chop one chili. Roughly chop the anchovies, if using.
• Place the whole eggplant(s) in a roasting tin and cook at 425F for 20min. Add unpeeled garlic, peppers and 2tbsp of the oil; season with salt.
• Cook for a further 30min. Cool, then skin and roughly chop peppers, garlic and eggplant.
• Return the vegetables to the roasting tin, then add the caraway seeds, chopped and whole chilis, lemon juice, capers and anchovies (if using). Season, then mix well and cook, uncovered, for 10-15min until the liquid has evaporated.
• Cool, sprinkle with chopped mint and serve at room temperature.

MECHOUIA (TUNISIAN SALAD)

Steps:

• Place peppers, chili and tomatoes cut side down on baking sheet with garlic cloves.
• Broil until skins of peppers and tomatoes are charred and garlic cloves are softened.
• Remove vegetables as they are ready.
• Cool slightly, then skin and seed all vegetables.
• Dice peppers and place in bowl.
• Puree tomatoes, chili, garlic, coriander, caraway seeds and cinnamon in food processor.
• Stir in lemon juice and olive oil.
• Season well with salt and pepper.
• Toss grilled peppers with tomato dressing.
• Garnish with capers.