Egyptian Cuisine

Molokhia

Cuisine: Egyptian Created by Mary Makesemos

This is a traditional Egyptian recipe, especially when served with plain rice. Molokhia has a slippery consistency much like okra, and the taste varies according to the method of cooking and the stock that is used. It can be made from fresh, frozen, dried or preserved leaves. When made with rabbit, it is said to be the meal of the Pharaohs, as only the wealthy would indulge in it. It can also be cooked with chicken, duck or beef.

Ingredients

1 rabbit
1 bag frozen molokhia or 750g fresh molokhia leaves
8 garlic cloves crushed or 1 large bulb crushed
½ tsp ground or 1 tsp fresh coriander (optional)
1/3 cup plain flour
2 lemons
2 bay leaves
1 large brown onion, peeled and halved
3 tbsp butter or ghee
Salt and pepper for seasoning
 

Preparation

To prepare the rabbit, wash the meat well, remove kidneys and any remaining inedible parts.

Rub well with flour and then rinse, to cleanse and prepare the skin. Cut the rabbit into 5 parts and put into a large mixing bowl.

In a small bowl mix 1 tbsp of crushed garlic, the juice of 1 lemon and salt. Rub the marinade into the rabbit, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. This helps tenderize the meat as well as draw out any fluids and impurities.

In a large stockpot, bring 1 litre of water to boil. Add bay leaves, salt and the onion halves. Set aside.

In a large frying pan, melt 2 tablespoons of ghee or butter. Add the pieces of rabbit and brown. Add the browned rabbit pieces to the stockpot and boil for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, until the meat is tender. Strain and reserve 5 cups of rabbit stock.

In the same frying pan, add 2 tbsp butter or ghee, salt, pepper and garlic and fry rabbit until golden. Remove and arrange portions on a serving platter.

In a deep pot bring the reserved broth to the boil. Reduce the heat, add the molokhia and leave to simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add more broth if the texture is too thick.

Tesha / Garlic Sauce
While the molokhia is boiling, in small saucepan heat 1 tbsp butter or ghee, the remaining garlic (approx 2 tbsp), coriander and stir until golden brown. Pour the garlic sauce immediately into the molokhia.

Season to taste. Remove from heat and half cover the pan for 2 minutes.

Serve the molokhia in a bowl with the rabbit separately on a platter, or combine both in one deep bowl. Accompany with a lemon wedge and rice. Serves 5.
 

Egyptian Restaurants

Displaying 4 of 4 Egyptian Restaurants.

Restaurant Suburb
1. De Bortoli Winery and Restaurant Dixons Creek
2. Princess Jasmine Punchbowl
3. Made In Africa Ethiopian Restaurant Moorooka
4. Cupido Carlton
   
08 Mar 2012 08:55 AEST
Derry
Gumdale
Grow your pwn
I think it is also called Egyptian spinach. If you google this name you should be able to find seeds for sale. I grow it in Brisbane all year round. It grows like a weed and produces millions of seeds for your next crop. Derry 8/3/2012
14 Nov 2010 02:21 AEST
Molokhia
Molokhia can be bought in Victoria from Oasis Bakery in Ormond. http://oasisbakery.com.au/_product_69575/MOLOKHIA_200G And SBS - what's the meaning of listing De Bortoli Restaurant as EGYPTIAN?
15 Sep 2010 04:57 AEST
Paul
Melbourne
Molokhia Leaves
Does anybody know where Molokia leaves are available in Melbourne?
14 Sep 2010 10:20 AEST
Michelle
Hallam
King Horus Restaurant
I love the Egyptian restaurant King Horus in Fountain Gate, (SE Victoria). They serve Molokhia, Bamya, Ful, Falafel all the great Egyptian favs. I cook my Molokhia using chicken, my kids love it!
28 Jul 2010 04:06 AEST
basem
melbourne
egyptian food
are there any restaurants in melbourne that offer egyptian food ? i have been doing a lot of research but no luck. any recommendations ?
16 Mar 2010 12:17 AEST
Anna
Blacktown
Purchasing Molokhia
I buy all my middle eastern (predominantly Lebanese) groceries from Granville in Sydney where I have seen both the dried and fresh form. The fresh form us only available in summer (i think near the end).
10 Mar 2010 06:13 AEST
Troy Elmore
Chipping Norton
Molokhia
Can anyone help me with where i may be able to buy Molokhia.I live in Sydney,fresh would be better,but i know it comes frozen. Thank you!
26 Feb 2010 08:52 AEST
Nadir
Sydney
This is not the real Mloukhia
This is an Egyptian Mloukhia...It is extremely unlike the North African Mloukhia. Prepared, looks and tastes completely different. Try the North African Mloukhia, and you will taste the difference! North African Mloukhia is A beef or lamb or Rabbit stew with bay leaves, the name is from the green herb used, which produces a thick gravy that has a mucilaginous (somewhat "slimy") texture, similar to cooked okra.
02 Jan 2009 02:54 AEST
Mary Maksemos
Burnside
Thankyou.
Thanks to Food Safari for doing an show on Egyptian food in Australia. Thanks to everyone for your support. Please feel free to visit our website ww.themaxskitchen.com.au or call us on 0403 150 252. take care Mary.
02 Jan 2009 10:57 AEST
SBS Food
Artarmon
Cooking Classes
Mary Maksemos runs classes in Egyptian food at her cooking school, The Max\'s Kitchen in Melbourne. Ph: 0403 150 252 W: www.themaxskitchen.com.au
29 Dec 2008 08:41 AEST
Ann
East Brunswick
Egyptian Cooking Classes
This episode mentioned that Mary Makesemos (who made the Molokhia) conducts cooking classes in Melbourne. I can't find any information on this. Can anyone help??
23 Dec 2008 09:04 AEST
Joe
Thornbury Vic
Purchasing Frozen Molokhia
William, instead of growing it from seeds, you could inquire if Oasis Middle Eastern Bakery in Murrumbeena stock frozen Molokhia; that place is a mecca for Middle Eastern ingredients and cooking utensils and it may be the closest to where you live. There's a place in Thornbury that has it (Naturally on High) but it's a schlep for you from Mount Martha.
21 Dec 2008 03:43 AEST
Coni
Tyabb
Molokhia Seeds
They are available from http://www.greenharvest.com.au/seeds/vegetables_d_l.html Also called Egyptian Spinach.
14 Dec 2008 08:47 AEST
William Mortyn
Mount Martha
Molokhia
Where in Australia can I purchase seeds of Molokhia? I can source them in California, but we are not permitted to import them.

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