Eish merahrah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Eish merahrah

Type	Flatbread
Place of origin	Egypt
Main ingredients	Fenugreek seeds, maize flour, sourdough starter

Eish merahrah (pronounced "aysh meh-rah-rah") is a special kind of flatbread from Egypt. Its name means "smoothed-out bread" or "spread-out bread" in Arabic. This bread is a big part of the traditional food in the Egyptian countryside, especially in a region called Upper Egypt.

What is Eish Merahrah?

Eish merahrah is a large, flat, and round bread. It's usually about 50 centimeters (almost 20 inches) wide! People in villages make it in their homes. It's a staple food, meaning it's eaten very often.

How Eish Merahrah is Made

Making Eish merahrah starts with maize flour, which is also known as cornmeal.

• First, a soft dough is made using the maize flour.
• Then, a special ingredient called a sourdough starter is added. This starter helps the dough rise and gives the bread its unique flavor.
• The dough is left to ferment, or "rest and bubble," overnight. This process makes the dough light and airy.
• The next day, the dough is shaped into round loaves.
• These loaves are then allowed to rise again for about 30 minutes. This is called "proofing."
• Finally, the loaves are flattened into big, round disks and baked until they are golden and delicious.

Why Fenugreek is Special

A key ingredient in Eish merahrah is ground fenugreek seeds. These seeds are not just for flavor!

• Adding fenugreek is thought to make the bread healthier by increasing its protein content.
• It also helps the bread stay fresh for longer. You can keep these loaves for one to two weeks in a container that keeps air out.
• Fenugreek is also believed to make the bread easier to digest.