Henia

Well everybody with Ramadan coming and slowly going...and threads on cookbooks, food traditions ....we have posted alot of recipes...it gets kinda confusing going back and looking at them again...so I thought we could just open a recipe thread that could also contain any food adventures or mishaps,pics,questions and culture.... inchallah keep it going with new recipes, comments, questions posted regarding food...(not only MENA foods, but any foods)....ok I will start:
Algerien Bouzgene Khabilye(Berber) Bread with Roasted Pepper Sauce
2 red bell peppers
4 tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
1 pinch salt to taste
2 pounds semolina
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups water
4 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons olive oil for frying

Preheat your oven's broiler. Place red bell peppers and tomatoes on a baking sheet, and roast under the broiler for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally. This should blacken the skin and help it peel off more easily. Cool, then scrape the skins off of the tomatoes and peppers, and place them in a large bowl. Remove cores and seeds from the bell peppers.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the jalapenos and garlic, and cook until tender, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and transfer the garlic and jalapeno to the bowl with the tomatoes and red peppers. Using two sharp steak knives (one in each hand), cut up the tomatoes and peppers to a coarse and soupy consistency. Stir, and set sauce aside.
Place the semolina in a large bowl, and stir in salt and 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Gradually add water while mixing and squeezing with your hand until the dough holds together without being sticky or dry, and molds easily with the hand. Divide into 6 pieces and form into balls.
For each round, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Roll out dough one round at a time, to no thicker than 1/4 inch. Fry in the hot skillet until dark brown spots appear on the surface, and they are crispy. Remove from the skillet, and wrap in a clean towel while preparing the remaining flat breads.
To eat the bread and sauce, break off pieces of the bread, and scoop them into the sauce.

Take the keys and mobile with you at all times. The door and gate is electronic and closes/locks after you. Could get locked out easily.
There is no haggling prices. The price written on the item is what it really costs.

Hello & Salaam,
Wishing everyone a happy new year. And have everyone have a sucessful and blessed 2014! Bring them SOs home!

Salaam, hello!
I live in Algeria so I know the "system" and consular office inside and out. I was married in Algeria, applied for the visa,etc
1 - No Algerian woman or man will get a tourist visa easily, so I would say forget about this. They are only offering student exchange, business and medical visas easily. And the family related one, well you don't met the requirements.
2 - To marry an Algerian woman in Algeria, as already mentioned you need to be Muslim. If you are not Muslim, not only will the family not agree but it's not lawful.
3 - If you don't met the income standards then you shouldn't apply for the visa. You will only be denied and waste the money. But I'm not sure if you are aware, but you can have co-sponsor or add any assets you have to make up the difference.
4 - If you are a Muslim, and would like to be married here in Algeria while you are here. First, you need to discuss this with her family. Then for religious reasons, find a imam who will marry you to her. Many imams are not willing to marry foreigners to Algerians in fear of visa scams. Your future FIL or BIL can help you find one.
5 - You need to get a certificat d' chahada (saying you reverted to Islam) They won't ask you for a cert issued in the US, but if you have one, it will only help. And if you were born into a Muslim family, well then the WHOLE process from dealing with the parents, to dealing with the governement and religious ministry will be easier for you. The process takes about 3months to be issued. The cert for this you start at the ministry of religion in your SO's home wilaya (province) Once you have done this, you can go ahead and apply for a marriage certificate at the daira (town hall) ... the process from there I can explain later. OR optionally taker her and her family to get married in Tunisia (the process is shorter there) I'm not sure if they require you to be Muslim there or not. Maybe ones married there can explain this.
6 - You can easily obtain a document from the registar in the US statting you have never been married. I did this for myself, when I came here and got married here with my husband.
Mom of 1, while yes I would say Algerians are traditional people, I wouldn't say they are not going to allow this marriage. There are traditional families where they do indeed try to seek marriages within their family but then others more modern open minded. I know several Algerian woman married to foreign man. One couple even living here in Algeria. I think it is all about niyaa(intention) of the couple.
And finally a final tip, if you can manage it, wy not bring your parents (or least one) when you go to visit the girl? This way everyone will feel more comfortable about your intentions.
If I can help in anything further, I am happy to ... just ask!

Salaam sis, Have a great time! You def deserve it!

Esalaam R! I def know you who are you ... the ticker looked familar I thought you were who you are, but I wasnt sure, looking up the ticker now I'm 100% sure. Follow me follow me dear happy to have friend like you

Salaam, hello!
I live in Algeria so I know the "system" and consular office inside and out. I was married in Algeria, applied for the visa,etc
1 - No Algerian woman or man will get a tourist visa easily, so I would say forget about this. They are only offering student exchange, business and medical visas easily. And the family related one, well you don't met the requirements.
2 - To marry an Algerian woman in Algeria, as already mentioned you need to be Muslim. If you are not Muslim, not only will the family not agree but it's not lawful.
3 - If you don't met the income standards then you shouldn't apply for the visa. You will only be denied and waste the money. But I'm not sure if you are aware, but you can have co-sponsor or add any assets you have to make up the difference.
4 - If you are a Muslim, and would like to be married here in Algeria while you are here. First, you need to discuss this with her family. Then for religious reasons, find a imam who will marry you to her. Many imams are not willing to marry foreigners to Algerians in fear of visa scams. Your future FIL or BIL can help you find one.
5 - You need to get a certificat d' chahada (saying you reverted to Islam) They won't ask you for a cert issued in the US, but if you have one, it will only help. And if you were born into a Muslim family, well then the WHOLE process from dealing with the parents, to dealing with the governement and religious ministry will be easier for you. The process takes about 3months to be issued. The cert for this you start at the ministry of religion in your SO's home wilaya (province) Once you have done this, you can go ahead and apply for a marriage certificate at the daira (town hall) ... the process from there I can explain later. OR optionally taker her and her family to get married in Tunisia (the process is shorter there) I'm not sure if they require you to be Muslim there or not. Maybe ones married there can explain this.
6 - You can easily obtain a document from the registar in the US statting you have never been married. I did this for myself, when I came here and got married here with my husband.
Mom of 1, while yes I would say Algerians are traditional people, I wouldn't say they are not going to allow this marriage. There are traditional families where they do indeed try to seek marriages within their family but then others more modern open minded. I know several Algerian woman married to foreign man. One couple even living here in Algeria. I think it is all about niyaa(intention) of the couple.
And finally a final tip, if you can manage it, wy not bring your parents (or least one) when you go to visit the girl? This way everyone will feel more comfortable about your intentions.
If I can help in anything further, I am happy to ... just ask!

Hello everyone,
@Sarah welcome back! I guess I'm back too ... many you don't even know me! Welcome to Islam and alif alif mabrouk on your reversion!

rub the smen+ couscous btwn your finger, then sprinkle with water , steam for about 7m then repeat 3x-- secret to prefect couscous!

rub the smen+ couscous btwn your finger, then sprinkle with water , steam for about 7m then repeat 3x-- secret to prefect couscous!

Ahlan and hello everyone all my friends new and old on VJ!
It's been a long while again since I have stopped by to say hi!
I'm still here in Algeria happily married with now 3 children machallah! ... still in Tipaza living by the sea ... still hosting gathering at my place, blogging about food, culture and travel, still trying to help with questions on Algeria, the VJ process here, and life in Algeria in general and still trying to keep up with all you on Facebook! I promised this last time but unfrotunately I didn't manage to do it ... but I promise this time to stop by again more often. But feem free to stop by my blog Simplicty's table by the sea or Friend me on Facebook - just please write me that you know me from Facebook and please I only add females NO men! Have a great blessed day everyone and much success with your journeys!!! kisses bises!