Bite and Booze by Jay D. Ducote

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Algeria: Street Food Bite and Booze of the 2014 World Cup




The spotlight of today's street food guide to the FIFA World Cup 2014, Algeria (playing Belgium at 11am CDT), has a cuisine riddled with savory spices, meats, and seasonal availabilities. With its top border touching the Mediterranean Sea, Algeria also houses much of the Sahara Desert. It is a place where the cuisine is as diverse as its inhabitants and ecosystems. While there isn't much street food, there's a little something called Mhadjeb that is usually sold out by the peak of the lunch hour. Good drinks are hard to find in Algeria, but I did stumble across an Algerian cocktail recipe that will more than suffice for the game ahead.








Photo Credit: yanncook.com
Photo Credit: yanncook.com


Mhadjeb, from what I've read is like a soft, flattened egg roll. Naan-like bread wraps around a filling of sautéed onions, tomatoes and spices. The caramelized onions and tomatoes make for a savory sweetness, while some chili paste and other spices brighten up the palate and give the dish character. It can be held with one hand which is perfect for watching the match and holding a fog horn in the other hand.


Photo Credit: Big World Small Kitchen
Photo Credit: Big World Small Kitchen






The Coctel Algeria features a nationally popular liquor that goes by the name Pisco. Typically served as a Pisco Sour with fluffy egg white foam, Pisco is a green grape brandy that's super smooth. Combined with orange liqueur, apricot brandy and some fresh OJ this is the perfect thing to sip after being out in the sun all day...or watching futbol on your couch.

2 comments:

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