Medfouna

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Medfouna
Medfouna or Berber Pizza at a local restaurant near Merzouga, Errachidia, Morocco.jpg
Medfouna or Berber pizza at a local restaurant near Merzouga, Errachidia Province.
Alternative namesRissani, Berber pizza
CourseMain course
Region or state Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco
Associated cuisine Moroccan cuisine
Serving temperatureHot

Medfouna, also known as "Berber pizza" or "desert pizza," is a traditional and rustic culinary dish originating from Morocco. [1] [2] [3] [4] It is prepared from a round-shaped dough that is stuffed, soft inside and crispy outside. Unlike pizza, Medfouna consists of two layers of dough: one at the bottom and one on top that covers the filling.

Contents

In the mountains of the Middle Atlas in Morocco, it is baked over a wood fire, then cut into eight pieces and offered to guests along with a glass of Moroccan mint tea.

Etymology

The term Medfouna comes from Arabic (المدفونة) and means "buried." [5] In the Drâa-Tafilalet region, medfouna is also known as Rissani, named after the town of Rissani, known for its specialty Medfouna. [6]

History

Medfouna is inherited from the Berbers of the oases in the southern region of Morocco. [1] This dish is a symbol of the cultural and culinary traditions of this part of Morocco. [7]

Popularity

The popularity of this dish has increased after British chef Gordon Ramsay, as part of filming his culinary series Uncharted, a travel cooking show organized in partnership with National Geographic channel, travelled to Morocco to discover different aspects of Moroccan gastronomy. [8] [9] [10]

By visiting the Middle Atlas mountains, the British chef introduced viewers to the Medfouna recipe presented by the Berbers of the Middle Atlas. A rustic recipe, made from local products, consisting of various types of mushrooms that grow in the surrounding mountains, spices, and fresh Berber cheese from the region. [11] According to the tradition of the Middle Atlas, Medfouna is cooked over a wood fire, unlike that of the Berbers of Tafilalet who cook it under the desert sand. [12]

A variety of traditional Berber cheese from Morocco used in Medfouna stuffing. Ary-jben makeye Rif coirbeye.JPG
A variety of traditional Berber cheese from Morocco used in Medfouna stuffing.

Recipe

Traditional medfouna, accompanied by mint tea. Medfouna's dish, Erfoud.jpg
Traditional medfouna, accompanied by mint tea.

The stuffing is a combination of spices and herbs, usually accompanied by portions of vegetables, onions, and minced meat (lamb, beef or goat), as well as cheese, coriander, and a little fat. The whole can be topped with slices of hard-boiled eggs. [13]

Notes and references

  1. 1 2 "Khobza medfouna | Traditional Flatbread From Morocco | TasteAtlas". TasteAtlas. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  2. Ramsay, Gordon (2023-05-03). Gordon Ramsay: Kulinarische Abenteuer: Zu Besuch bei den besten Küchenmeistern in aller Welt. 45 Rezepte (in German). Christian Verlag. ISBN   978-3-95961-831-1 . Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  3. Mdidech, Jaouad (2017). Visages et paysages du cœur du Maroc. Carnets de voyages (in French). Éditions L'Harmattan. ISBN   978-2-343-10995-4 . Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  4. Gregory-Smith, John (2018-04-05). Orange Blossom & Honey: Magical Moroccan recipes from the souks to the Sahara. Octopus. ISBN   978-0-85783-509-3 . Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  5. Helou, Anissa (2018-10-04). Feast: Food of the Islamic World. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN   978-1-5266-0556-6 . Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  6. "Madfouna: Morocco's surprising take on pizza". BBC. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  7. Morocco, Touring In (2023-06-30). "Medfouna: The Berber Pizza Dish In The Desert Of Morocco". Touring In Morocco. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  8. Jill K. Robinson (2019-06-12). "Gordon Ramsay Treks the Mountains of Morocco". National Geographic. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  9. Jack (2019-07-17). "Le chef Gordon Ramsey découvre la cuisine amazighe | La Tribune de Marrakech" (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  10. Brooke Sabin (2019-07-16). "Suivez Gordon Ramsay dans son voyage gastronomique à travers le monde". National Geographic France (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  11. "Gordon Ramsay Tries Medfouna | Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted". YouTube (in French). November 2021. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  12. "Madfouna". Atlas Obscura. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  13. Khadija El Mary (2012-10-15). "Moroccan Cuisine: Recipe for Amazigh Flatbread or Moroccan Pizza". Morocco World News.

Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at fr:Medfouna (Maroc); see its history for attribution.

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