Chakhchoukha facts for kids
Meat chakhchoukha biskria (from the city of Biskra in Algeria) served in a Tajine pot along with merqa.
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| Alternative names | Chekhechoukha (شخشوخة) |
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| Type | Stew |
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Algeria |
| Region or state | Constantine, Batna, Biskra, Ms'sila |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Chickpea, tomatoes, onions, garlic, meat, vegetables, Algerian spices |
| Variations | Chakhchoukha Biskria, Chakhchoukhat dfar |
Chakhchoukha or chekhechoukha (Arabic: شخشوخة) is a yummy and popular dish from Algeria. People often eat it during special parties and celebrations. It's super popular in the Aurès region of Algeria. This dish is made from small pieces of a thin flatbread called rougag. These bread pieces are mixed with a tasty stew known as marqa.
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What is Chakhchoukha?
Chakhchoukha is a special food that first came from the Chaoui people in Algeria. Now, many other parts of Algeria enjoy it too! The name chakhchoukha comes from a word in the Chaouia language, tacherchert. This word means "crumbing" or "tearing into small pieces." This makes sense because the bread is torn into tiny bits!
How to Make Chakhchoukha
Making Chakhchoukha involves two main parts: the bread and the stew.
Making the Rougag Bread
The rougag is a very thin, round flatbread. It is made from fine semolina, which is a type of flour. After the bread is baked, it's torn by hand into many small pieces. These pieces are then ready to soak up the delicious stew!
Preparing the Marqa Stew
The marqa is the rich and flavorful stew that goes with the bread. It usually has diced lamb meat cooked in it. The stew also includes fresh tomatoes, chopped onions, and chickpeas.
Sometimes, other vegetables are added to the stew. These can be potatoes, zucchini, carrots, and green peppers. The vegetables used can change depending on the time of year or what a family likes.
Spices for the Stew
The marqa stew gets its amazing flavor from a mix of spices. Some of the main spices used are dried red chillies, caraway, ras el hanout, black pepper, and cumin. These spices give the stew a warm and inviting taste.
Different Kinds of Chakhchoukha
There is a slightly different version of this dish. You can find it in cities like Batna, Barika, M'Sila, and Biskra. This version uses a different kind of bread, which gives it a unique twist!
