Best Munyeta Recipes

MOROCCAN MOUFLETA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Make a well in the center, and slowly add 3 to 3 1/2 cups warm water, mixing and kneading gently, at first with a wooden spoon and then with your hands, until a light and elastic dough is formed. (Add a little extra water if dough seems too dry; it should be pretty wet.) Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rest for about 30 minutes.
• Generously coat a baking sheet with oil and set aside. Coat your hands with oil and divide the dough into about 20 balls, each slightly smaller than a tennis ball. Dip each ball in the oil and set on the baking sheet. (Don't worry if the balls lose their shape). Let rest for another 15 minutes.
• Lightly oil your work surface. Place 1 ball at time on the surface and flatten with your palm. Using your fingers, stretch the dough out, as thin as possible, into a 7- or 8-inch disc. Keep dipping your fingers in the oil as needed to help get the moufleta as thin as possible and to keep it from sticking to the work surface or your hands.
• Place a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. When the pan is hot, carefully pick up the first moufleta (it will be stretchy and have a hard time holding its shape) and place it on the hot skillet. Cook on one side, about 1 to 2 minutes, until the underside has golden-brown patches. Flip the pancake over, roll out the next ball of dough and place it on top of the first one. When the bottom side has golden-brown patches, flip both pancakes together to cook the new one. Roll out another moufleta and place on top of the moufleta pack in the skillet. Flip to cook. Repeat for all moufletas, starting over again when you have a pack of 7 or 8. Except for the first one, they are all getting cooked only on one side. (Alternatively, the moufletas can be cooked one at a time for about 1 to 2 minutes per side and removed to a plate, each one going underneath the one cooked before it to help keep them from drying out. Cover the plate with a towel as you work.)
• Serve immediately, while warm, with butter and honey.

BLACK BEAN MUNETA WITH FRIED PLANTAIN CHIPS

Steps:

• To make the beans, place them in a large saucepan with 2 cups of water and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Add only a little water, if needed, to keep the beans barely covered while they cook. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the cumin and oregano and cook a few minutes longer.
• When the beans are cooked, stir in the onion mixture, 1 teaspoon of salt and the pepper and cook for 5 minutes more. Let cool. Place the beans in a food processor and pulse until pureed. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Scrape into a serving bowl and garnish with cilantro.
• To make the chips, heat enough oil in a large skillet to make a depth of 1/8 inch. Working in batches, add the plantain slices to the skillet and cook until browned and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately with the bean dip.

REAL N'AWLINS MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• To Make Olive Salad: In a medium bowl, combine the green olives, kalamata olives, garlic, cauliflower, capers, celery, carrot, pepperoncini, cocktail onions, celery seed, oregano, basil, black pepper, vinegar, olive oil and canola oil. Mix together and transfer mixture into a glass jar (or other nonreactive container). If needed, pour in more oil to cover. Cover jar or container and refrigerate at least overnight.
• To Make Sandwiches: Cut loaves of bread in half horizontally; hollow out some of the excess bread to make room for filling. Spread each piece of bread with equal amounts olive salad, including oil. Layer 'bottom half' of each loaf with 1/2 of the salami, ham, mortadella, mozzarella and Provolone. Replace 'top half' on each loaf and cut sandwich into quarters.
• Serve immediately, or wrap tightly and refrigerate for a few hours; this will allow for the flavors to mingle and the olive salad to soak into the bread.

MUNYETA RECIPE

Steps:

• Soak beans overnight; change water one time, if you choose.
• Put beans in water, cook them until soft; drain.
• In a frying pan, saute onion, bacon, garlic, sausage and ham in vegetable oil.
• Slowly add cooked beans, mashing them.
• Add tomato sauce, salt, pepper and olive oil; fry until crispy.
• Garnish with parsley.
• Serve hot with hot fluffy white rice, ripe plantains and a nice green salad, and of course with Cuban bread!