Taste or Tunisia: Mechouia Salad
A Taste of Tunisia from the Hen House Taste Flight
Picture a colorful bowl of smoky roasted peppers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and tangy capers all tossed together in a bright lemony dressing – that’s Mechouia, and one bite will transport you straight to the Mediterranean coast!
Mechouia (say it: meh-SHWEE-ah) means “grilled” in Arabic, and this salad is all about coaxing big, bold flavor out of simple vegetables. It’s a staple of Tunisian cooking, where fresh produce, good olive oil, and spices like cumin do all the heavy lifting.
In Tunisia, Mechouia is served as a starter, a side dish, or even scooped up with crusty bread as a snack. It’s the kind of dish that shows up at family gatherings, street food stalls, and celebratory feasts alike. Cool, bright, and a little smoky — it’s Mediterranean sunshine in a bowl!
Ingredients for 4-6 Servings
Total Time
Method
- Prep the veggies: Cut 3 red peppers into thin strips. Core, deseed, and dice 2 tomatoes into 2-inch pieces.
- Sauté the veggies: In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the peppers, tomatoes, and 2 garlic cloves for about 5 minutes until soft and tender. Set aside to cool.
- Mix the base: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups olive medley, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼4 cup olive oil, ½ tsp cumin, and 8 oz drained capers. Stir to mix.
- Bring it all together: Add the cooled pepper and tomato mixture to the bowl. Gently toss everything together until well coated and serve!
