Tunisian Cuisine

Traditional Tunisian Couscous, Salad and Brik
Djerbian Rice Dish
Tunisian Breakfast
Tunisian Green Tea
Tunisian Couscous

The food of Tunisia is a mixture of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. A part of the former Ottoman Empire, much of Tunisia’s cuisine retains traces of its international connections. A predominant flavor in Tunisian cooking is harissa, a spice paste made of red pepper, garlic, cumin, salt, coriander, olive oil, and sometimes other spices too. Traditional foods include:

Couscousi: couscous and vegetables steamed over a fragrant broth. It’s served in a large bowl, with the vegetables and meat decorating the top.

Tanjine: a casserole dish, made with eggs, potatoes, parsley, a little chicken, garlic, and cheese.

Slata meshoiya: grilled vegetables, often including tomato, onion, green pepper, garlic, and potatoes, topped with hard-boiled eggs.

Brik: a whole egg, parsley, harissa and other spices wrapped in phyllo dough and deep fried until golden-brown. (read more here)

Mtabga: like a calzone, but filled with harissa, salami, and soft cheese.

Shorba: a thick soup, filled with meat, vegetables, or legumes.

Djerbian Rice: steamed rice, flavored with parsley, celery, spinach, green pepper, chicken, garlic, spices, salt, oil, potato, chickpeas, tomato sauce, and black pepper.

Shakshouka: poached eggs in a tomato sauce spiced with cumin, garlic, and onion.

Whatever the dish, the flavors of Tunisian cooking are sure to please.