Cherchem is basically made of whole wheat, dried Fava beans and chickpeas. I previously shared the basic recipe for Cherchem, please see recipe here: https://www.myexcellentdegustations.com/algerian-healthy-dish-called-cherchem-the-basic-recipe/
I am sharing today an excellent vegetarian recipe for Cherchem dish with a red sauce. Obviously, you can prepare this dish with meat or chicken.
Algerian dish called Cherchem with Red Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole wheat, soaked for 48 hours in water
- 1/2 cup dried Fava beans, soaked for 48 hours in water
- 1/2 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight and rinsed.
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro plus more for serving
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 medium tomato, grated
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp Ras Al Hanout
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp coriander powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- About 3 chili peppers or any other type of hot peppers.
Instructions
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Soak the whole wheat for 48 hours in water. Make sure to change water after 24 hours.
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Soak the Fava beans for 48 hours in water. Make sure to change water after 24 hours.
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Soak the chickpeas overnight then rinse.
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Put olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
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Add the chopped onion and minced garlic.
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Add salt, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander powder, paprika,Ras Al Hanout then stir for about a minute.
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Mix in the tomato paste and add grated tomato, parsley, cilantro and the bay leaf. Let cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
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Add the rinsed whole wheat and Fava beans.
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Pour in boiled water to cover everything.
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Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and let cook covered for about 45 minutes.
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In meanwhile, cook the chickpeas in a slightly salted water for about 30 minutes or until fully cooked. Set aside.
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Once the whole wheat and Fava beans are cooked, add the cooked chickpeas with its water.
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Add chili peppers if you like.
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Adjust the seasoning and let cook for about 5 minutes. The sauce should be reduced at this point.
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Serve garnished with cilantro or parsley or both.
Recipe Notes
- The reason why I cook the chickpeas separately at the beginning because my chickpeas cook fast and I don’t want to overcook it.