ARAB MUTABBAQ: A FEAST TO THE TONGUE

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Mutabbaq also known as murtabak or mutabar where muta means egg and bar means roti or bread in the native language of Kerela. This dish is versatile in nature. As the stuffing changes, the taste also does. It can be cooked in a vegetarian and also non-vegetarian form. People all over the world are fond of their own version of Mutabbaq. All the layers are significant and possess their own different taste. In a bite, you’ll find it crispy and in yet another it will melt like an ice cream in your mouth. When cooked sweet, it acts like a dessert and when the savory one is cooked, you just can’t stop having it. It is an absolute delight to the tongue.

History: Wondering how it came into existence

Mutabbaq was first cooked in Yemen. It is a multilayered pancake. In Arabic the term Mutabbaq is a synonym for folded. Different places have their own variations. It is a famous street food of Arab and also inexpensively available. Arabs prefer using Flour dough whereas in some recipes different versions of bread are used to stuff the material. The customary preparation of the exotic dish in Arab has always taken the base to be spicy.

Health Benefits: Here is why you should always say yes to it!

Use of variety of vegetables in the stuffing makes it really healthy for consumption. The material is stuffed into flattened flour dough and not bread makes it more preferable. Egg is beneficial for our body and use of egg can be counted as a brownie point. Use of coriander and mint leaves act as an apple on the pie.

Ingredients and preparation

Mutabbaq is cooked in several different ways. According to the place the recipe varies. It can be sweet or spicy depending on the stuffing. At some places it is consumed with sweet curry. Arab Mutabbaq has its own specifics. Here is the traditional way followed by Arabs to cook this exquisite dish.

·         Preparation Time: 40 minutes

·         Making Time: 20-25 minutes

·         Serves: 4-5 persons

Ingredients:

For dough

·         2 cups all purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         Milk as required

For frying

·         1 egg for each mutabbaq

·         Chopped tomatoes

·         Spice powder as required

·         Finely chopped spring onions

For mince

·         250g mince

·         2 tablespoon oil

·         1 teaspoon garlic and ginger paste

·         1 teaspoon salt

·         ½ teaspoon Chinese salt

·         ½ teaspoon black pepper

·         Coriander leaves

·         Mint leaves

·         Green chillies

Direction

·         Mix milk with flour until it turns into a smooth dough. Leave it aside for 15 minutes after applying oil on it.

·         Divide the dough into equal sized balls. Not put some oil on the base you are using and rollout one ball on it.

·         Take a pan and heat some oil. Add mince, black pepper, salt, ginger and garlic paste and some Chinese salt.

·         Cook the pan mixture until the water in it dries. Use some coriander leaves, green chillies and mint leaves for garnishing.

·         Take some prepared mince, chopped tomatoes, spice powder and spring onions for frying.

·         Now take an egg and break it on the top and to form a square fold the sides.

·         Until it turns golden on both the sides fry it on medium heat.

Nutrition info

Each serve contains:

·         Calories: 674

·         Carbohydrate: 30.5g

·         Protein: 12.6g

·         Fibre: 1.5g

·         Sugars: 0.6g

·         Cholesterol: 104mg

·         Total fat: 56.1g

So grab a spoon and have a bite. This is a great dish for all the foodies who wish to fill their mouth with heavenly pleasure. You’ll get so much involved in munching that you will not realize when your first bite turned out to be the last one.