Eish Merahrah
A flat wholemeal loaf enriched with ground fenugreek and maize, from the villages of Upper Egypt. Bitter, nutty and quite unlike any other bread here.
Method
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Soak the ground fenugreek in the 150 ml warm water for 60 minutes. Do not drain it — the softened seed and its liquid both go into the dough.
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Mix the wholemeal and maize flours with the yeast and salt.
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Add the soaked fenugreek, the oil and the 250 ml water and bring to a soft dough. Knead 8 minutes.
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Cover and prove 75 minutes until well risen. It will not double as dramatically as a white dough.
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Heat the oven to 240°C / 465°F with a heavy tray inside.
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Divide into 6 and press each into a 16 cm disc on a surface dusted with maize flour. Dust the tops as well.
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Bake on the hot tray 18 to 20 minutes, until set and lightly coloured with a dry, matt crust. Cool under a cloth.
Chef’s Tips
- Soak the fenugreek for a full hour or the bread is bitter.
- Do not swap the maize flour out — it is the texture.
- It rises less than a white dough. That is correct.
Pairing Suggestions
- Besara
- Gebna domiati salad
- Sweet tea
Storage & Reheating
Three days wrapped; it stales more slowly than white bread. It freezes for 2 months.
Common questions
How long does Eish Merahrah take to make?
About 50 minutes of hands-on work — 30 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking — plus 2 hours 15 minutes of soaking the fenugreek and rising the dough, so allow 3 hours 5 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Eish Merahrah?
Soak the fenugreek for a full hour or the bread is bitter. Do not swap the maize flour out — it is the texture. It rises less than a white dough. That is correct.
What should I serve with Eish Merahrah?
Besara; Gebna domiati salad; Sweet tea.
Can Eish Merahrah be made ahead or frozen?
Three days wrapped; it stales more slowly than white bread. It freezes for 2 months.
Is Eish Merahrah suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Eish Merahrah?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 8 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate and 7 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
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