ALGERIAN M'HAJEB - TRADITIONAL FILLED PASTRY

Algerian M'hajeb - Traditional Filled Pastry image

Provided by Annacia * @Annacia

Number Of Ingredients 12

Steps:

Filling:
Slice the onions in fine rings. Slice the peppers into fine strips ( many people remove skin first) and fry together in a little olive oil until softened. If using the hot pepper, de-skin then puree, add to the onions & peppers. Add the puree, salt and pepper and cook covered, for approx 5 minutes or until soft and well flavoured. Set aside to cool.
Pastry: *To make the pastry, it's easiest if you have a mixer with a dough hook or a bread maker set on the dough setting.*
Mix the semolina and the flour in a mixer of place in the bread machine. Make a hollow in the centre, add a little salt and enough water to bring to a stiff dough. Knead well. Add a little more water, a bit at a time until the dough is finally a soft elastic consistency - this is usually around 8-10 minutes.
Wehen the dough it nice and elastic, pull of pieces and roll into golf balls. The secret is to have EVERYTHING WELL OILED -- Oil your hands, the work surface and the m'rie or large skillet / chappati pan.
Take a golf ball at a time and gently stretch out as thin as you can. It's easiest to do this on a well oiled work surface. If uyou get a few little holes, don't worry - you can patch them up and nobody will mind!
Place a spoonful of filling in the centre and fold the edges in one at a time (left, right, top, bottom), to form a rough square shaped parcel. Fry until golden on both sides - you have to be very attentive here or they will burn!