M'semen

M'semen or msemen (Arabic: مسمن‎ msamman, musamman), is a traditional flatbread originally from the Maghreb, common to Algeria,[1] Tunisia[2] and Morocco. It is usually served with honey or a cup of aromatic morning mint tea or coffee. M'semen can also be stuffed with meat.

M'semen

M'semen
Type	Bread
Place of origin	Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco
Region or state	Maghreb
Main ingredients	Flour, durum wheat semolina, dry yeast, melted butter, salt, sugar and water
Media: M'semen

Varieties and similar foods

There is a variety that is made from pulling the dough into strands and forming a disk that is also called malwi in North west Africa. It is also similar to the Somali sabaayah.

Recipe

The recipe uses flour, durum wheat semolina, dry yeast, melted butter, salt, sugar and a bit of water. These are mixed well together into a smooth dough mixture. The dough is cut into several balls, which are then rolled out on an oiled surface and folded into square pancakes. The goal being to spread the dough into the thinnest square or circle and then fold the sides back into a square, creating the signature layers of dough. Once the m'semen is folded, another is spread which is used to envelope a prior folded m'semen so as to create about 8 internal layers of dough. The key being that while one is folding, one must sprinkle semolina on the layers to prevent the layers from sticking entirely and to allow for the heat to then separate the layers when cooked on a griddle.[3][4]

See also

• List of breads
• Berber cuisine

References

1. rédaction, La (2014-06-26). "En Algérie, chaque région a sa cuisine : quelle est votre préférée ?". Algerie Focus (in French). Retrieved 2020-05-06.
2. "World breakfasts. Morocco: msemen, baghrir, mint Libya tea". www.gamberorosso.it. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
3. Samuel Clark, Samantha Clark. The Moro Cookbook. Ebury Press, 2003. ISBN 009188084X.
4. Alain Jaouhari. Marruecos: La cocina de mi madre. Intermón Oxfam Editorial, 2005. ISBN 8484523535.