Mtou’em Hmer (Meatballs in tomato sauce)

Mtou'em, I personally consider it as our identity, it is a dish full of flavor. Let's call it this way, it is the twin brother of Chorba (Algerian vegetable and meat soup). I don't know why as an Algerian whenever I am invited to a home, I automatically guess the dinner would be chorba and Mtou'em, and it is true, I would say 80% of Algerian family gatherings, Mtou'em and chorba are the main dishes served and people love it! These two dishes you can always find on the menu of any local restaurant in Algeria. Of course, the taste depends on the use of spices and condiments of each region but the value of these two dishes in the heart of Algerians and people visiting Algeria stay the same.

Tips & tricks: This dish can of course accompany a chorba of your choice and bourek! (Algerian spring rolls) this would be a whole meal. Otherwise, you can have a salad on side, rice, fries, or just bread of your choice.

 4 servings - Prep. and cook time: 45 mnts. Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef

2 medium fresh tomatoes

1 cup of ready to cook chickpeas

1 tbsp finely ground garlic

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp ground black pepper

2 tsp dry thyme (or fresh)

2 tbsp cooking oil

3 cups water (room temperature)

Salt to taste

Step by Step Instructions:

1. In a large bowl,combine ground beef, 1/2 tbsp ground garlic, 1/2 grated fresh tomato, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1 tsp thyme (dry or fresh is a best option), and salt to taste.

2. Gently incorporate all the ingredients in the bowl together until the meat is mixed with all the spices. let sit for 15 mnts.

3. In a cooking pan, over medium heat,

4. Combine 1 1/2 grated fresh tomatoes, all the rest of ingredients, cooking oil, salt to taste, and let simmer for 10 mnts.  

5. Add the 3 cups of water to the cooking pan along with the cup of chickpeas, and let simmer for another 5 mnts.

6. Bring the marinated ground beef, roll all the ground beef into bite-size meatballs.

7. Add the meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce, cover with a lid and let cook for another 20 mnts.

8.  Once the meatballs are fully cooked (leave some sauce in the dish for the serving)

9.  Take off the heat and let cool down.

10.  Before serving sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley.