Libyan cuisine at World Culture Festival in Hanoi

Libyan cuisine is characterized by couscous (boiled millet or wheat), bazin (unleavened barley bread) and lamb stews. Common ingredients include lamb, seasonal vegetables such as tomatoes and chickpeas, seafood, dates and olive oil. Meals typically consist of a main dish cooked in one pot and finished with green tea.

1. Mabakabaka with beef (also known as Mbakbaka, Imbakbaka, Libyan pasta stew)

Description & preparation:

 Mbakbaka is a signature dish in Libyan cuisine — a “one-pot” dish of noodles

(elbow-sized pasta) cooked with tomato sauce, onions, garlic and

spice.

 When adding beef, people use small cubes of beef (either beef or lamb), stir-fry briefly

then cooked in tomato sauce with spices (like turmeric, caraway seeds, “bzaar” spice)

– local spice mix)

Flavor & Characteristics:

 The mild sourness of tomatoes, the aroma of onions, garlic, and North African spices.

 The beef is tender when cooked thoroughly, and the noodles soak up the sauce.

 You can add chili if you want it spicy.

 Is a rustic dish, popular in families.

2. Libyan Egga

Description & Origin:

 A popular dish in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East, consisting of eggs that are either boiled or

Soft boiled eggplant in tomato sauce with chili, onion, bell pepper and spices.

How to prepare & features:

 Saute chopped onions and bell peppers first, add crushed or fresh tomatoes, cook

fever

 Eggs are cracked directly into the sauce and gently cooked (usually the yolk remains intact).

soft).

 Spices such as chili, pepper, maybe paprika, herbs such as coriander, chili.

 This dish has a sour, slightly spicy taste, combined with the light fatty taste of eggs.

3. Rice balawi

Rice Balawi is a traditional Libyan rice dish, known for its rich flavor and

A delicate blend of Middle Eastern and North African spices. This is a dish

often appears on holidays or special family meals.

"Rice Balawi" (sometimes called Ruz bil Khalta or Balawi Rice) is a rice dish

Mixed dishes cooked with meat (usually beef, lamb, or chicken), tomatoes, and strong spices

such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. Sometimes raisins and nuts are also present.

Roasted almonds for added sweetness and richness.

4. Libyan Mawalhah

A baked or fried roll filled with chicken, vegetables, and cheese, topped with sesame seeds.

5. Libyan Beef Pie

The dish pictured is Libyan Beef Pie (also known as Libyan meat pie or sometimes similar)

(Arabian/Libyan pide – a boat-shaped pie filled with beef). The main ingredients of Libyan Beef Pie usually include: Minced beef (or minced lamb), Minced onion, Garlic, Bell peppers (usually green or red, minced), Minced tomatoes or tomato sauce

Spices: salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin powder, paprika powder, cinnamon or thyme can be added

Lightly nutted Olive oil or butter for sautéing the filling Sometimes a beaten egg or grated cheese (feta, mozzarella or cheddar) is added for richness.

6. Mahlabiya

Mahlabiya (also known as Muhallebi in Turkish, or Mahlebiya in

(Arabic) is a traditional dessert very popular in Libya, as well as many Middle Eastern and North African countries.

Mahlabiya is a smooth, lightly sweet milk pudding, made primarily from: Milk, Sugar,

Cornstarch (or rice flour) as a thickener Rose water or orange blossom water for thickening

aroma. After cooking, the mixture is poured into small bowls and chilled, then sprinkled with

pistachios, almonds, or cinnamon on top.

6. Mbaten

(also spelled Mbatten, Mbatin or Mbatin Batata) is a traditional Libyan dish, very popular in North African cuisine, especially during holidays or family meals. Mbaten is a potato dish stuffed with minced meat, which is then deep-fried or baked.

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