Khobz Tabouna
The semolina country loaf baked against the wall of a clay oven, and the everyday bread of rural Tunisia. A hot tray gets you most of the way there.
Photograph credit: Tabouna bread Kairouan by Nafaa · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photograph credit: Four tabouna Kairouan by Nafaa · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Method
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Mix the semolina, flour, yeast, salt and sugar. Add the oil and water and stir to a rough dough.
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Leave it to sit, uncovered and unkneaded, for 20 minutes so the semolina hydrates.
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Now knead 10 minutes. It will have transformed from gritty to smooth and elastic.
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Cover and prove 75 minutes, until well risen.
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Put a heavy tray or baking stone in the oven and heat to 240°C / 465°F for 25 minutes.
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Shape the dough into two flat rounds about 2 cm thick. Brush with oil and press the sesame and nigella seeds firmly into the tops.
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Bake on the hot tray 15 minutes, until risen, golden and hollow-sounding underneath. Cool under a cloth to keep the crust soft.
Chef’s Tips
- Let the semolina hydrate for 20 minutes before kneading.
- Press the seeds in hard or they fall off.
- Cool under a cloth for a soft crust, on a rack for a crisp one.
Pairing Suggestions
- Any stew in this volume
- Harissa and oil
- Omek houria
Storage & Reheating
Two days wrapped. It stales fast, like all semolina bread. It freezes for 2 months.
Common questions
How long does Khobz Tabouna take to make?
About 40 minutes of hands-on work — 25 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking — plus 1 hour 15 minutes of the dough rising, so allow 1 hour 55 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Khobz Tabouna?
Let the semolina hydrate for 20 minutes before kneading. Press the seeds in hard or they fall off. Cool under a cloth for a soft crust, on a rack for a crisp one.
What should I serve with Khobz Tabouna?
Any stew in this volume; Harissa and oil; Omek houria.
Can Khobz Tabouna be made ahead or frozen?
Two days wrapped. It stales fast, like all semolina bread. It freezes for 2 months.
Is Khobz Tabouna suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free. 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 Khobz Tabouna?
About 325 kcal per serving, with 10 g protein, 58 g carbohydrate and 6 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.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.