mauritanian Recipes
14 delicious mauritanian recipes from around the world
Boulfaf (Grilled Liver Skewers)
Boulfaf is a traditional Mauritanian delicacy, particularly enjoyed during the feast of Eid al-Adha (Tabaski). It features lamb or beef liver wrapped in caul fat, seasoned with a blend of spices, and grilled over an open flame. This results in a rich, intensely flavorful dish that is both a local favorite and an adventurous culinary experience.
Cherchem (Millet with Vegetable Sauce)
Cherchem is a hearty and flavorful Mauritanian dish where millet is cooked with a savory vegetable sauce. It's a nutritious and satisfying meal, often prepared with a blend of aromatic spices, tomatoes, and various vegetables, making it a staple in many households, especially in regions where millet is a primary grain.
Fish and Vegetable Couscous
A flavorful and aromatic couscous dish featuring tender fish, a medley of vegetables, and a blend of Moroccan-inspired spices. This recipe offers a lighter alternative to traditional rice-based dishes.
Lakh Dar
Lakh Dar is a traditional Mauritanian sweet couscous dish, often prepared for celebrations and special occasions. It features a delicate semolina base sweetened with honey or sugar and flavored with spices and dried fruits.
Lamb and Millet Stew (Maafe-inspired)
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender lamb, sweet potatoes, and a rich peanut sauce, served over fluffy millet. This dish draws inspiration from West African Maafe, adapted to Mauritanian tastes.
Mafe (Domoda)
Mafe, also known as Domoda in Mauritania, is a rich and hearty West African peanut stew. Traditionally made with beef or lamb, it features tender meat simmered in a savory sauce of peanut butter, tomatoes, and vegetables. It's a comforting dish that reflects the nomadic heritage of Mauritania.
Mahi-Mahi with Peanut Sauce (Maafe-inspired Fish)
A flavorful dish featuring pan-seared mahi-mahi served with a rich, savory peanut sauce, often accompanied by rice or millet. This variation focuses on fish as the primary protein within a maafe-style sauce.
Mauritanian Beef Tripe Stew
A hearty and flavorful stew made with beef tripe, vegetables, and aromatic spices, slow-cooked to tender perfection. This dish is a staple in Mauritanian cuisine, often enjoyed during special occasions.
Mauritanian Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemon
A fragrant and flavorful chicken tagine, a staple in Mauritanian cuisine, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered with aromatic spices, briny olives, and the unique tang of preserved lemons.
Mauritanian Fish Stew with Vegetables
A hearty and aromatic fish stew, showcasing the bounty of Mauritania's coast. This dish combines fresh fish with a medley of vegetables and spices, simmered in a flavorful tomato-based broth.
Mauritanian Harira
A rich and nourishing soup, traditionally served to break the fast during Ramadan, but enjoyed year-round. This Mauritanian version of Harira is a hearty blend of legumes, meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices.
Mous Sebech
Mous Sebech is a flavorful Mauritanian fish and vegetable stew, often prepared with a rich tomato and peanut base, offering a comforting and aromatic culinary experience.
Thieboudienne
Thieboudienne, often considered the national dish of Mauritania, is a flavorful one-pot meal of fish, rice, and vegetables cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce. It's a communal dish symbolizing unity and is enjoyed widely along the coast.
Yassa Poulet
Yassa Poulet is a popular dish in Mauritania, originally from Senegal. It features chicken marinated in a tangy sauce of onions, lemon, and spices, often served with rice or French fries. The caramelization of the onions provides a sweet and savory base for the dish.