Bissara facts for kids
Bissara, also called Bessara or Besarah, is a yummy soup and a bean dip from North African cuisine. It's made mainly from dried, mashed broad beans. Think of it like a thick, creamy bean soup!
People also call it Tamarakt in some places. In Arabic, it's "بصارة", and in Berber, it's "Tabissart" or "talkhcha".
Besides broad beans, bissara often includes tasty ingredients like garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, spicy red pepper, cumin, and salt. Sometimes, it's even made with split peas or chickpeas instead of broad beans.
In Egypt, bissara often has fresh herbs or leafy greens mixed in. These can be parsley, mint, dill, spinach, or even molokhiya. Egyptians usually eat bissara with bread, using it as a dip. It's known for being a very affordable dish, so many people can enjoy it.
Where is Bissara Popular?
Bissara is a well-loved dish in both Egyptian cuisine and Moroccan cuisine. Even though it's made in different countries, there are some cool differences in how people enjoy it!
Bissara in Egypt
In Egypt, bissara is mostly eaten as a dip for bread. It's a popular choice for breakfast, or sometimes as a small appetizer called a meze. Less often, people might have it for lunch or dinner.
Egyptian bissara usually has herbs or leafy greens, spicy peppers, lemon juice, and sometimes onion. For a long time, it was a traditional dish for farmers in the countryside. However, since 2011, it has become much more popular in Egyptian cities. This is because many people see it as a healthier option compared to another common Egyptian dish called ful medames.
Bissara in Morocco
In Morocco, bissara is especially popular when the weather gets colder. You can often find it being sold in busy town squares and small alleyways. It's usually served in shallow bowls or soup plates, and people often add a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of paprika, and some cumin on top.
Just like in Egypt, people in Morocco sometimes dip bread into their bissara. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice on top is also a common and delicious way to enjoy it.
See also
In Spanish: Bissara para niños
