Briouats: A Moroccan Culinary Delight
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Briouats are a popular dish in Moroccan cuisine, belonging to the family of pastries. They are prepared using **pastilla dough** (a very thin pastry made from flour, water, and salt) and can be baked or deep-fried.
These delightful pastries are filled with various ingredients such as meat (commonly chicken, lamb, or fish), Chinese noodles, and vegetables. They are then wrapped in Moroccan pastilla dough in triangular or cylindrical shapes and garnished with cheese and lemon. For a sweet version, they are filled with almond paste. Briouats are typically seasoned with spices to achieve a savory flavor or dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet treat.
According to the book *Voyage au Maroc 1910 – 1911* by Reynold Lachatier, liver briouats are traditional pastries served at weddings and special occasions in Morocco, alongside various salads and snacks. The author described them as:
"Small fried pastries filled with mashed liver."
Types of Briouats
Moroccan women take great pride in preparing a wide variety of briouats. Here are some popular types:
- Almond Briouats
- Peanut Briouats
- Peanut and Almond Briouats
- Béchamel Briouats
- Leek Briouats
- Briouats with Msemmen Dough
- Meat Briouats
- Ground Meat and Onion Briouats
- Ground Meat and Mushroom Briouats
- Chinese Noodle and Ground Meat Briouats
- Ground Meat Briouats
- Ground Meat, Vermicelli, and Mushroom Briouats
- Kofta Briouats
- Kofta and Rice Briouats
- Kofta in Msemmen Dough Briouats
- Kofta and Chinese Noodle Briouats
- Kofta and Vegetable Briouats
- Kofta and Egg Briouats
- Kofta and Béchamel Briouats
- Savory Briouats
- Savory Briouats with Red Cheese
- Savory Briouats with Eggplant Filling
- Savory Briouats with Meat and Béchamel Sauce
- Vegetable and Chinese Noodle Briouats
- Turkey Meat, Boiled Egg, and Cheese Briouats
- Chicken Briouats
- Savory Chicken Briouats
- Chicken and Egg Briouats
- Chicken and Vermicelli Briouats
- Chicken and Vegetable Briouats
- Chicken and Mushroom Briouats
- Chicken Liver, Onion, and Chinese Noodle Briouats
- Chicken Liver and Saffron Briouats
- Seafood and Chicken Breast Briouats
- Savory Chicken Briouats
- Chicken and Eggplant Briouats
- Chicken and Fish Briouats
- Chicken and Cheese Briouats
- Chicken Briouats with Liquid Cream
- Chicken and Potato Briouats
- Potato, Cheese, and Tuna Briouats
- Potato and Cheese Briouats
- Potato-Stuffed Briouats
- Potato and Tuna Briouats
- Tuna Briouats
- Tuna, Potato, and Cheese Briouats
- Tuna and Vegetable Briouats
- Tuna and Mushroom Briouats
- Fish Briouats
- Seafood and Mushroom Briouats
- Rice and Mortadella Briouats
- Puff Pastry Briouats
Ingredients
- 200 grams of chopped walnuts
- 100 grams of butter
- 100 grams of fine sugar
- Honey
- Orange blossom water
- Pastilla dough
Optionally, add 120 grams of white rice and cinnamon if making a sweet pastilla with rice and candied walnuts.
Conclusion
Briouats are a quintessential part of Moroccan cuisine, showcasing the country’s rich culinary tradition through a delightful array of sweet and savory pastries. Whether enjoyed as a sophisticated appetizer at a wedding or as a casual snack, these versatile pastries highlight Morocco's mastery of flavor and texture. From classic almond and peanut-filled briouats to innovative variations with seafood, chicken, or vegetables, there’s a briouat to suit every palate.
The use of pastilla dough, a delicate pastry layer, and a wide variety of fillings—from ground meat and cheese to sweetened nuts and fruits—demonstrates the creativity and skill involved in Moroccan cooking. Each briouat type, whether fried or baked, brings its own unique blend of flavors and textures, offering a taste of Moroccan tradition and culinary artistry.
In summary, briouats are more than just a dish; they are a celebration of Moroccan heritage, crafted with care and enjoyed across different occasions. Their adaptability in both savory and sweet forms makes them a beloved and versatile choice in Moroccan cuisine, embodying the rich, diverse flavors that characterize the region’s food culture.
For those interested in exploring Moroccan cuisine, briouats offer a perfect introduction to the complex, aromatic, and flavorful world of Moroccan cooking. Enjoy experimenting with various fillings and preparations to discover the full spectrum of tastes that briouats have to offer.