Chakhchoukha Constantinoise
A hearty and flavorful dish from Constantine, Algeria, featuring shredded msemen (a type of flatbread) served with a rich tomato-based meat stew, typically lamb or chicken, and chickpeas. It's known for its comforting and savory profile.
🧂 Ingredients
- 6-8 pieces Msemen(store-bought or homemade, for shredding)
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder or chicken thighs(cut into large pieces)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 800 g Tomatoes(canned crushed or fresh, pureed)
- 400 g Chickpeas(cooked, drained)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Ras el hanout
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 small Cinnamon stick
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/2 cup Fresh cilantro or parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the msemen: If making from scratch, prepare msemen dough and cook until golden brown. Once cooled, stack the msemen and cut into thin strips, then further shred them into smaller pieces. Set aside.
- 2
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the meat pieces on all sides. Remove meat and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Add minced garlic, ras el hanout, turmeric, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 5
Return the meat to the pot. Add the crushed tomatoes and cinnamon stick. Stir to combine.
- 6
Add enough water to cover the meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
- 7
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the drained chickpeas to the stew.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.
- 9
To serve, place a generous portion of shredded msemen on a plate. Ladle the hot meat and chickpea stew over the msemen, ensuring some sauce is absorbed. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use lamb shoulder. Chicken thighs also work well.
- ✓Ensure the msemen is well-shredded to absorb the sauce effectively.
- ✓The longer the stew simmers, the more tender the meat will become and the deeper the flavors will develop.
- ✓If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little hot water or broth.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of saffron for a more complex aroma.
- Include other vegetables like carrots or potatoes in the stew.
- Serve with a side of harissa for those who prefer extra spice.