Macroona Embowkha

Macroona Embowkha is a Libyan dish that is geographically unique in that it is traditionally made only in the East of Libya. The broken up pieces of vermicelli pasta is steamed in a steamer pot. It is almost identical to Ruzz Embowkh (steamed riced) recipe. Obviously when you read this recipe, its a lot of pasta. This is a family sized recipe. It will serve 5-7 people.

What you'll need:
- 8oz can of tomato paste
- 1.5lb broken vermicelli pasta
- 2 tablespoons Bzaar
- 1.5 tablespoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 piece lamb per person
- 1 small onion
- 8 cups water

Ruzz Embowikh

Ruzz Embowikh can roughly be translated to mean steamed rice. This dish requires a steamer pot. The bottom portion holds the sauce and in the top portion, the rice is cooked from the steam of the sauce. Every Libyan household has one of these pots, they are essential to cooking other staples such as couscasee. This is a great dish because it serves as an alternative to pasta. It is also unique because it is one of the few rice dishes in Libyan cuisine.

What you'll need:
- 8oz can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion
- Lamb ( 1 piece per person)
- 3 cups short grain rice
- 3 potatoes
- 6 cups water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoon Bzaar
- 1 teaspoon Cheyenne pepper

Macroona bil Boosla

This is a simple and delicious pasta dish that is a winner. The pasta is tossed in a bit of sauces then topped with caramelized onions. Please note, the recipe for the Boosla is NOT included here. I've made a separate entry for it under ''The Basics'' because its a standard recipe for Boosla that can be used for multiple dishes. After talking to a few fellow Libyans I have come to find that this a more traditionally western Libyan dish. Geography aside, its worth a try!

What you'll need:

-1 Jalapeno sliced in half 

-1 medium onion

-1/3 cup olive oil

- 1lb lamb cut

-A 6oz can of tomato paste

-6 cups water 

- 1.5 tablespoons bzaar

-1 tablespoon salt

- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

- 1lb box of penne 

Macroona Imbakbaka

This is the most QUINTESSENTIAL Libyan Dish. Heavily influenced by Italian cuisine, this Libyan dish is Pasta in a tomato stew. Any type of pasta can be used but more often than not its either Ditalini or broken up Spaghetti. I learned how to make this dish in only one quantity: A lot. The recipe below is for an entire pound of pasta, which really is on a box. It may seem like a lot, but it will go go go.

What you'll need:
- 1 Onion, diced
- 2 garlic gloves
-1 chicken cut and quartered.
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
-2/3 cup tomato paste
-1 tablespoon salt
-1 1/2 tablespoons Bzaar
-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
-11 cups of water (will be used in parts)
- 1lb Pasta of your choice