Molokheya: an Egyptian National Dish
Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:44 pm
Servings
4
Preparation Time
1 hours
Ingredients
1 chicken.
1 pack molokheya.
1 1/2 tablespoon garlic , crushed.
1 1/2 tablespoon coriander , ground
3 tablespoons margarine or butter.
Salt.
Cooking Instructions
Wash chicken well then boil until tender.
Strain and reserve 3-4 cups of chicken soup.
Cut chicken into 4 pieces.
In a skillet add 2 tablespoons margarine or butter.
Fry chicken pieces until golden brown.
In a deep pan heat reserved soup and bring to boil over high heat.
Add 1 teaspoon coriander and 1/2 tablespoon garlic.
Reduce heat and add molokheya and leave to boil once, uncovered.
While molokheya is boiling, in a small skillet heat 1 tablespoon margarine or butter then add 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 tablespoon garlic and stir until golden brown.
Immediately pour components of skillet onto molokheya in pan. Don't stir.
Stir molokheya just before serving.
Serve in a bowl with chicken and rice on the side.
Molokheya, also known as Jew's Mallow, is one of Egypt's national dishes, as well as other countries in the Middle East region.
Names
The Arabic name ملوخية is transliterated to various forms, such as Moulokheyya, Mulukheyya, Moolookhieh, Mouloukhia, Mloukhia, Melokiyah, Meloukhia, Melokiyah, Milookhia, Milookhiyya, M'Loukhia, Molohia, Molokhiya, Molokhiyya, Molukhyia, Mulukhia, Mulukhiya, Mulukhiyah and other variations.
The English names for it are Jew's Mallow, Jute Mallow, Nalta Jute.
History
It is said that the original name for Molokheya is Mulukeyya ملوكية meaning ("of the kings"), and that the public turned the K to the present KH.
A thousand years ago, the mad Fatimid Caliph, al-Hakim bi Amrillah banned the public from eating Molokheya, among many other irrational things. You can see the details under the Historical Quotes section below.
Scientific Facts
Molokheya is an annual herb. In the Middle East, it is grown for its leaves. In India, it is grown for the fibres in its stem.
The latin name for Molokheya is Corchorus olitorius. Linnaeus was the first to classify this plant, as you can see from his own collection and documents including drawings and photos from his herbarium.
Plants For A Future have an extensive entry on Molokheya, and so does Purdue's New Crops.
There is a lot of academic research on Molokheya, as you can see in this list.
The US Department of Agriculture has an entry for it as well.
4
Preparation Time
1 hours
Ingredients
1 chicken.
1 pack molokheya.
1 1/2 tablespoon garlic , crushed.
1 1/2 tablespoon coriander , ground
3 tablespoons margarine or butter.
Salt.
Cooking Instructions
Wash chicken well then boil until tender.
Strain and reserve 3-4 cups of chicken soup.
Cut chicken into 4 pieces.
In a skillet add 2 tablespoons margarine or butter.
Fry chicken pieces until golden brown.
In a deep pan heat reserved soup and bring to boil over high heat.
Add 1 teaspoon coriander and 1/2 tablespoon garlic.
Reduce heat and add molokheya and leave to boil once, uncovered.
While molokheya is boiling, in a small skillet heat 1 tablespoon margarine or butter then add 1 teaspoon coriander, 1 tablespoon garlic and stir until golden brown.
Immediately pour components of skillet onto molokheya in pan. Don't stir.
Stir molokheya just before serving.
Serve in a bowl with chicken and rice on the side.
Molokheya, also known as Jew's Mallow, is one of Egypt's national dishes, as well as other countries in the Middle East region.
Names
The Arabic name ملوخية is transliterated to various forms, such as Moulokheyya, Mulukheyya, Moolookhieh, Mouloukhia, Mloukhia, Melokiyah, Meloukhia, Melokiyah, Milookhia, Milookhiyya, M'Loukhia, Molohia, Molokhiya, Molokhiyya, Molukhyia, Mulukhia, Mulukhiya, Mulukhiyah and other variations.
The English names for it are Jew's Mallow, Jute Mallow, Nalta Jute.
History
It is said that the original name for Molokheya is Mulukeyya ملوكية meaning ("of the kings"), and that the public turned the K to the present KH.
A thousand years ago, the mad Fatimid Caliph, al-Hakim bi Amrillah banned the public from eating Molokheya, among many other irrational things. You can see the details under the Historical Quotes section below.
Scientific Facts
Molokheya is an annual herb. In the Middle East, it is grown for its leaves. In India, it is grown for the fibres in its stem.
The latin name for Molokheya is Corchorus olitorius. Linnaeus was the first to classify this plant, as you can see from his own collection and documents including drawings and photos from his herbarium.
Plants For A Future have an extensive entry on Molokheya, and so does Purdue's New Crops.
There is a lot of academic research on Molokheya, as you can see in this list.
The US Department of Agriculture has an entry for it as well.
I kept thinking it was spinach until I got it in my mouth 
