The Hawawshi (حواوشي) is a traditional Egyptian dish, similar to a stuffed sandwich, made of baladi bread (similar to pita) filled with spiced minced meat, onions, tomato, and aromatic herbs, then baked until crispy on the outside and juicy inside.
It was invented in 1971 by an Egyptian butcher named Ahmed al-Hawawsh.
From his stall in the Souk Al-Tawfik neighborhood of Cairo, hawawshi spread throughout Cairo and then the rest of Egypt.
Since the death of al-Hawawsh, hawawshi has become particularly popular in the Sharqia Governorate in the Nile Delta, where the best hawawshi is said to be found.
There are regional variations such as:
Alexandria Hawawshi: the filling is spread between two layers of dough and baked like a focaccia, similar to a stuffed pizza.
Hawawshi liya: some recipes include the addition of lard for a richer flavor.
Hawawshi has also spread to other Middle Eastern and North African countries with some variations.
In the Levant, it is made using saj bread and includes hot peppers in the filling.
In Algeria, it is known as “muhajib” and is eaten with soup or a yogurt salad.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 Pieces
- Cooking methods: Stove, Oven, Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Egyptian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 1.1 lbs ground beef (or lamb)
- 1 onion
- 1 tomato
- as needed chopped parsley
- as needed spices (cumin, pepper, cinnamon, paprika)
- as needed ground coriander
- as needed salt
- 4 baladi * (or pita)
Steps
Prepare the filling:
In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with onion, tomato, parsley, all the spices, and coriander. Adjust the salt
Knead well until you get a homogeneous mixture.
Cut each bread in half or open a pocket on one side.
Fill each piece with a portion of the filling, distributing it evenly.Baking in the oven:
Preheat the oven to 392°F (200°C). Arrange the sandwiches on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Brush the surface with butter or oil.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.
Cooking in a pan: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
Cook the sandwiches for 5-7 minutes per side, covering with a lid, until the bread is crispy and the filling cooked.
Serve hot, accompanied by salad, pickles, or tahini sauce.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
*What is the recipe for Aish Baladi (Egyptian Bread)?
You can find the recipe on the blog.
