Sfenj – Algerian Ring Doughnuts
Sfenj are the quintessential Maghrebi doughnuts – light, ring-shaped fritters that puff up when fried to brilliant gold. The word sfenj comes from the Arabic for “sponge,” a fitting name for these donuts’ sponge-like texture. In Algeria they are a morning staple and street-food favorite. You’ll find vendors (called sufnaj) hand-shaping the rings on street corners or the kitchen of…
Algerian Bourek Laadjine
Bourek laadjine are hearty Algerian pastries that look like half-moon empanadas or cigars. The name “laadjine” refers to their rolled shape. They are especially popular during Ramadan, served piping hot alongside soups like Chorba. Each piece is a stuffed pocket of dough packed with a flavorful blend of spiced minced meat, aromatic herbs and a cooked egg. When fried, the…
Algerian Bourek (Brik)
Bourek (also spelled borek or brik) are golden, triangle-shaped pastries that stand among the most beloved snacks in Algeria. Each bourek is a delicate crisp of thin phyllo or “brick” dough (sometimes called dyoul pastry) wrapped around a warmly spiced filling. In Algeria these turnovers often debut at the iftar table during Ramadan or turn up as starters at family…
Msemmen (Layered Pancakes)
Msemen (sometimes called Msammen or Rghaif) is a layered square pancake beloved across Algeria and North Africa. This flatbread is made by repeatedly flattening and folding a soft dough of semolina and flour, buttering each layer, and then pan-frying it to a golden-brown crisp. The outcome is a thin, flaky square with dozens of delicate layers. Each bite offers a…
Mhadjeb / Mahjouba
Mhadjeb – often called Mahjouba – is a classic Algerian flaky semolina crêpe filled with a spicy tomato-onion mixture. This savory pancake is a beloved street food, sold hot off the griddle at markets and bakeries. The dough, made simply from semolina, salt, and water, is stretched by hand into a paper-thin rectangle. A spoonful of harissa-seasoned tomato and onion…
Matloue / Khobz Tajine
Matloue – also called Khobz Tajine – is a sweet, spongy flatbread cherished in Algerian cuisine. Shaped into thick rounds and slowly baked on a clay tajine pan over a gentle flame, this bread develops an airy, waffle-like crumb that sets it apart from denser breads. It is made from fine durum semolina (often mixed with a little wheat flour),…
Kesra (Khobz Ftîr)
Kesra – a humble circle of semolina dough cooked until golden – is one of the most beloved flatbreads of Algeria. In homes and bakeries across the country, this traditional unleavened bread is a daily companion at countless meals. It arrives hot and fragrant from the pan, the comforting aroma of toasted wheat filling the air. Born from North African…
Khobz el-Dâr
Khobz el-Dâr, literally “bread of the home,” is a beloved Algerian round loaf often made in kitchens across the country. It combines fine semolina and wheat flour into a moist dough, then rises before being shaped into a flat round and baked until golden. The top is traditionally glazed with egg yolk and sprinkled with sesame or nigella seeds, giving…
Doubara (Spicy Algerian Chickpea Stew)
Doubara (also spelled Dobara) is a beloved Algerian stew from the oasis city of Biskra. It features creamy fava beans and chickpeas simmered with onion, garlic, and bold spices like cumin, paprika, and turmeric. What sets Doubara apart is the fresh chili-tomato salsa served on top: grated tomato, hot peppers, cilantro, and spices are blended into a fiery sauce. When…
A Week in the Swiss Alps: Hiking, Cheese & Chocolate
Travelers craving alpine vistas and culinary delights will find the Swiss Alps irresistible. In one week, a carefully planned itinerary can showcase snow-capped peaks and emerald valleys by day, and rustic dairies and world-famous chocolate museums by evening. As one guide notes, visitors can even “devour delicious food (yes, I’m talking about cheese and chocolate) by spending one week in…
