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Taktouka
Roasted green peppers and tomatoes cooked into a garlicky, smoky relish
Taktouka is the pepper partner to zaalouk, served side by side on the salad plates of Moroccan homes and cafés, especially around Casablanca and the north. Grilled green peppers are peeled and cooked down with tomato, garlic and cumin until soft and jammy, then eaten lukewarm with bread or as a side to tagines and grilled vegetables. It is cheap, quick and keeps for three days in the fridge. Chef's tip: use the thin-skinned, slightly bitter green peppers if you can find them; they give a more authentic flavour than sweet bell peppers.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Grill 3 green peppers and 1 red pepper over a gas flame or under a hot grill for 10 minutes, turning, until blistered and blackened all over.
10 minStep 2: Seal them in a bowl under a plate for 5 minutes so they steam, then peel, seed and cut into small squares. A few black flecks left on are fine; don't rinse them off under the tap.
Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry 3 garlic cloves for 30 seconds, then add 4 ripe tomatoes, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp sweet paprika and ¾ tsp salt. Cook for 6 minutes until the tomato breaks down.
7 minStep 4: Add the peppers and ½ oz fresh parsley and coriander and cook over a medium-low heat for 6–8 minutes, stirring often, until the oil separates at the edges and the mixture is thick and glossy. Stopping while it is still watery is a common mistake; the flavour only concentrates once the juices cook off.
7 minStep 5: Cool to warm or room temperature before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 130 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 12 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does taktouka take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of red pepper?
- Any colour of bell pepper, same amount.
- What can I use instead of ripe tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
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