Baid Mutajjan – Middle Eastern Fried Hard Boiled Eggs a Guest Post by Vanya
I have mentioned before, that I started blogging because I wanted to keep a record of what I cook (just for myself) and wanted to find a way of sharing my recipe with friends and family (without bombarding them with endless emails). Little did I know that blogging would introduce me to a whole new world of blogging friends that share my passion for food. I have met so many lovely new people, like Vanya who I have really been enjoying to get to know through her stories, recipes and the comments she leave on my posts.
And then one day Vanya took me by surprise by invting me for a visit – blogger style. A few weeks back she hosted me as a guest on her blog and I brought some Beet Muffins to celebrate the occasion. Of course I immidiately wanted to return the honour, by inviting her to do a guest post on my blog. She had a few suggestions for recipes of which one immidiately caught my eye: Arabian Fried Eggs. I was mystified and curious. But let me make way for Vanya to explain this magnificent recipe further:
Fried hard boiled eggs are a common feature in many Middle Eastern households but you will find this most commonly in Egypt. I first came across this recipe in the Middle Eastern cookbook, Traditional Arabic Cooking by Miriam Al Hashimi. According to the author, if you take a walk through the markets of Cairo, you can find traders selling tiny packets or conesof blended spices which are used for flavouring the fried eggs.
There are several different variations based on the blend of spices. The one I decided to try was the sumac-sesame seed blend.
Sumac is a flowering shrub and the dried fruit drupes of this plant is ground to get a crimson red tangy spice that is used extensively in Middle Eastern cooking. This spice has a tangy, lemony, citrusy flavour that goes well in salad dressings and with grilled meats. Sumac is easily available these days at most supermarkets or in specialty Middle Eastern food stores.
This dish makes a delicious and pretty accompaniment or starter to any meal. So here’s the recipe for Baid Mutajjan or fried hard boiled eggs rolled in sumac-sesame seed spice blend.
Ingredients
5 fresh eggs
2-3 tbsp vegetable oil
3 tbsp sumac
2 tbsp sesame seeds
salt – to season
fresh coriander leaves – finely chopped, for garnish
Recipe
- Hard boil the eggs, remove shell and cut into halves. Season lightly with salt.
- Dry roast the sesame seeds till light golden; make sure not to burn.
- Coarsely grind the sumac and sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle and keep aside.
- In a flat pan, heat oil (on medium heat) and place the eggs yolk side down. A bit of splutter is expected. (You can fry the eggs whole too without cutting into halves but ensure that you prick a couple of holes with a fork to avoid the eggs from exploding.)
- After a minute or two, turn the eggs over and fry another minute. Remove from flame.
- Roll or dust the eggs with the sumac-sesame seed blend. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves just before serving.
For more of Vanya’s amazing recipes visit her site Skinny Chef de Cuisine.
I am off to discover more of Vanya’s recipes. But first, I wanted to say that this is an amazing recipe! I love anything with egg as a main ingredient, but had never seen anything like this recipe before. Simple, full of flavor, I love the idea of frying the boiled eggs and rolling them in spices. This is very inspiring
I could not agree more: This recipe really is amazing! I like my hardboiled eggs – marbled, filled or in a curry – but I have never seen anything like this before either. So glad this recipe has made you pop by to visit her blog 🙂
I have to try this. Just love the idea and many many spices will work and thats the beauty of it. I will make it part of my Easter breakfast plans thank you!
I am so glad you like it! It really is an amazing recipe! So simple and yet so ….. uhm…yum… 😉
So simple, yet amazing! Looks and sounds gorgeous.
I know what you mean – this recipe just makes so much sense 🙂
These sound and look really, really good! Will check out her bog! Thanks for sharing x
Have I said that it is great to have you back 😉 You should drop by her blog, she really has some lovely recipes!
Have done so already :D! Now following her too 🙂 Thanks again xx
Such lovely photos! Thanks for sharing a wonderful blog 🙂 These eggs look amazing
Vanvya really does take great pictures all the time. I am tempted to ask what camera/lens she uses, but am afraid that ….the question will cost me 😉
I know that feeling!
🙂
Those do look delicious. You might be interested in my method of making my own sumac http://alongthegrapevine.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/sumac-recipes/
and on another post a combination of sumac with sesame seeds (za’atar)http://alongthegrapevine.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/what-is-zaatar-and-how-to-make-it/
I will try this recipe for sure, since I am a big fan of Mid. Eastern cooking and of sumac.
🙂 I’ve only just wrapped my head around the fact that you tap your own maple syrup and now you also tell me you make your own sumac 😉 I think I have more chance of trying the latter so this really has made me curious – popping over straight away to check out your recipes 🙂
thanks Afra for hosting me…..
The pleasure is all mine! Looking forward to seeing what you cook up next! And if you ever want to know another guest post you are always welcome here!
What an interesting egg recipe! Love sumac-sesame seed crust 🙂
It really is original, I’ve never seen anything like it 🙂
Ah, these look delicious! Finally got some sumac last week…will have to try with this recipe–thanks for sharing! =)
Sumac is quite a new spice for me as well! Looking foward to seeing what recipes you create with it! And if you get round to trying this one, let me know how it turned out!
It is always nice to meet a new blogger so I have to thank both of you for this interesting post and recipe.
It really is so much fun to host a guest blogger: its like having a dinner party where friends you know will click finally meet 🙂
A lovely guest post this & What a delightful fresh inspired recipe,…it looks very Yum Yummm. 😀
Thank you sweetie x
🙂 xxx
I’m really intrigued by the blend of spices you used, I’m sure they give this dish an amazingly unique flavor!
..another reason why I could never be a vegan. I love egg recipes so much 🙂 this looks great!
There are tons and tons of sumac bushes along my street except I don’t know whether they are edible or not. I’ve never heard of fried boiled eggs…I boil eggs because I don’t want to fry (LOL). They look delicious so I wouldn’t mind trying. Thanks for sharing!
Wow…these look amazing!
Thank you Lesley! So kind of you!
These look amazing. And great for parties too. If you see a staghorn sumac plant in the Netherlands, I’d love to hear about it.
I really have not started hunting for one yet, but I will check out the big garden centers and small biological markets in the city!