{"id":"recipe_ca96e68553","slug":"matbucha-moroccan-cooked-tomato-salad","title":"Matbucha (Moroccan Cooked Tomato Salad)","description":"A vibrant and slow-cooked North African condiment made from roasted peppers and sun-ripened tomatoes, seasoned with garlic and sweet paprika.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":60,"totalMinutes":75,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 large red bell peppers","name":"Red Bell Pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"roasted, peeled, and chopped","notes":"Red","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"6 large ripe tomatoes","name":"Tomato","quantity":6,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"piece","form":"peeled and diced","notes":"Roma or beefsteak varieties work best","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"4 cloves of garlic","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 serrano or jalapeno chili","name":"Serrano Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"Remove seeds for less heat","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/4 cup olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":60,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"Extra virgin preferred","group":"Fats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tbsp sweet paprika","name":"Paprika","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"Sweet or Moroccan paprika","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"To taste","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/2 tsp sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"Optional; used to balance tomato acidity","group":"Spices","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Roast the bell peppers over a gas flame or at 450°F (232°C) in the oven until the skin is charred and blistered. Place them in a bowl covered with plastic wrap for 10 minutes, then peel, remove seeds, and chop.","group":"Preparation","title":"Roast the bell peppers","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Score a small 'X' on the bottom of each tomato. Blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds, then shock in ice water. Peel off the skin, remove the seeds, and dice the flesh.","group":"Preparation","title":"Score a small 'X'","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a large skillet or wide pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped chili, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat the olive oil","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the diced tomatoes and chopped roasted peppers to the skillet. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the diced tomatoes and chopped roasted peppers","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes will break down and the liquid will evaporate until the mixture is thick and jammy.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce heat to low","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Stir in the paprika, salt, and sugar. Cook for another 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust salt as needed.","group":"Seasoning","title":"Stir in the paprika, salt, and sugar","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Seasoning"}],"notes":"Traditional Matbucha is cooked until almost all the liquid has evaporated, leaving a thick, jam-like consistency. It is best served cold or at room temperature as part of a mezze spread.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Moroccan","North African"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","saute","roast"],"equipment":["Skillet","Tongs","Mixing bowl"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":3,"unit":"cup","note":"Yields approximately 750ml of sauce"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Matbucha actually tastes better the next day after flavors have developed."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight glass jar.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold or briefly warm in a pan if preferred hot."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ca96e68553%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5cea2012-310a-4bbc-afd6-1e9fc2900ad9","imageAlt":"Matbucha (Moroccan Cooked Tomato Salad) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["matbucha","moroccan","tomato","roasted peppers","dip","vegan","spicy sauce"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Matbucha (Moroccan Cooked Tomato Salad)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T23:06:22.822Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T23:06:22.822Z","related":[{"id":"piri_piri_abb399d24a","slug":"authentic-african-piri-piri-sauce","title":"Authentic African Piri-Piri Sauce","description":"A fiery, tangy, and aromatic chili sauce originating from the African-Portuguese fusion traditions of Mozambique and Angola. This sauce combines bird's eye chilies with citrus and garlic for a versatile condiment that works as a marinade or dipping sauce.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Mozambican","Angolan"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","keto","paleo","low_carb","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpiri_piri_abb399d24a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d113b5df-8225-42fd-8ab3-2e447865fa9f","imageAlt":"Authentic African Piri-Piri Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","condiment","african cuisine","marinade","hot sauce","peri peri"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":4},{"id":"boli_cb6fb8f7eb","slug":"boli-roasted-plantain","title":"Boli (Roasted Plantain)","description":"A beloved West African street food staple consisting of sweet, ripe plantains grilled until caramelized and smoky. It is traditionally served with crunchy roasted groundnuts for the perfect balance of textures.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian","West African"]},"course":["side","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fboli_cb6fb8f7eb%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc7467a3-0e95-473a-96b4-000ff7dd6c34","imageAlt":"Boli (Roasted Plantain) — recipe cover","tags":["boli","plantain","roasted plantain","african snack","nigerian food","street food","gluten free","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_f55815ccca","slug":"chermoula","title":"Chermoula","description":"A vibrant, zesty North African herb sauce and marinade bursting with fresh cilantro, parsley, garlic, and aromatic spices.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Moroccan","North African"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","paleo","keto","low_carb","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_f55815ccca%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b5e590b3-a843-4d31-a504-e2eded584002","imageAlt":"Chermoula — recipe cover","tags":["chermoula","sauce","marinade","herbs","spicy","moroccan","north african","condiment"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":5}]}