{"id":"recipe_b51bbd972a","slug":"salata-mechouia-tunisian-grilled-salad","title":"Salata Mechouia (Tunisian Grilled Salad)","description":"A vibrant and smoky North African classic made from fire-roasted peppers, tomatoes, and garlic, finished with olive oil and traditional garnishes. Perfect as a snack or appetizer.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":25},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 green bell peppers","name":"Green Bell Pepper","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"green","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 hot green chili peppers","name":"Green chili","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"hot green, adjust to preferred spice level","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"4 medium tomatoes","name":"Tomato","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"ripe","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 red onion","name":"Red Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"peeled","notes":"red","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 garlic cloves","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"unpeeled for roasting","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"3 tbsp olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"extra virgin","notes":"","group":"Dressing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tsp caraway seeds","name":"Caraway Seed","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"often referred to as 'karouia'","group":"Dressing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/2 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":3,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"tsp","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Dressing","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"100g canned tuna","name":"Tuna","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"drained","notes":"canned in oil preferred","group":"Garnish","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 hard-boiled eggs","name":"Egg","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"quartered","notes":"","group":"Garnish","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"10 black olives","name":"Black Olives","quantity":10,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":10,"usUnit":"piece","form":"pitted","notes":"black","group":"Garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the bell peppers, chili peppers, tomatoes, onion, and unpeeled garlic cloves on a grill or under a broiler set to 400°F (204°C). Roast, turning occasionally, until the skins are charred and blackened on all sides.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the bell peppers, chili peppers, tomatoes, onion","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Transfer the hot roasted vegetables to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Let them steam for about 10-15 minutes to loosen the skins.","group":"Preparation","title":"Transfer the hot roasted vegetables","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Peel the charred skins off the peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. Remove the seeds and stems from the peppers. Do not rinse the vegetables, as this will wash away the smoky flavor.","group":"Cleaning","title":"Peel the charred skins off the peppers, tomatoes, and garlic","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cleaning"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Using a knife, finely chop the vegetables together or use a mortar and pestle to pound them into a coarse paste. If using a food processor, pulse briefly to avoid turning it into a puree.","group":"Mashing","title":"Using a knife, finely chop the vegetables together or use a mortar and pestle","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mashing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place the vegetable mixture in a serving bowl. Add the olive oil, ground caraway seeds, and salt. Mix well to combine.","group":"Dressing","title":"Place the vegetable mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dressing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Garnish the salad with chunks of tuna, hard-boiled egg quarters, and black olives. Serve chilled or at room temperature with crusty bread.","group":"Garnish","title":"Garnish the salad","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Garnish"}],"notes":"Traditional preparation uses a mortar and pestle to achieve a coarse, rustic texture rather than a food processor. For the best flavor, grill the vegetables over charcoal.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Tunisian"]},"course":["appetizer","salad"],"cookingMethod":["roast","grill"],"equipment":["grill or oven","mixing bowl","mortar and pestle or knife","plastic wrap"],"diet":["high_protein","low_carb","gluten_free","mediterranean"],"allergens":["fish","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":"Approximately 250g per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The vegetable mixture can be prepared and seasoned a day in advance. Garnish just before serving."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold or at room temperature; do not reheat."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_b51bbd972a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=56eace00-c147-4f60-b349-6604b51bb1ed","imageAlt":"Salata Mechouia (Tunisian Grilled Salad) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["smoky","spicy","low carb","tunisian","roasted vegetables","mediterranean"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Salata Mechouia (Tunisian Grilled Salad)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:23:04.192Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:23:04.192Z","related":[{"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":"kachumbari_a2cddc262e","slug":"kachumbari","title":"Kachumbari","description":"A refreshing, vibrant East African tomato and onion salad that serves as the perfect cooling side dish for grilled meats, pilau, or biryani.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Kenyan","Tanzanian"]},"course":["salad","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb","paleo"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkachumbari_a2cddc262e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a72e7ee3-5e51-4b76-a2f0-15a7256dff72","imageAlt":"Kachumbari — recipe cover","tags":["kachumbari","salad","east african","tomato salad","healthy","refreshing","low calorie"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":4},{"id":"kelewele_64d882f651","slug":"kelewele-spiced-fried-plantains","title":"Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantains)","description":"A classic Ghanaian street food snack featuring ripe plantains seasoned with a pungent ginger-garlic spice blend and fried until perfectly caramelized.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkelewele_64d882f651%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=94d0a5ab-eea0-47c2-8e3f-d581133b7d1e","imageAlt":"Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantains) — recipe cover","tags":["plantain","street food","spicy","ghanaian","kelewele","vegan"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6}]}