Broiled Mint Msem*n With Honey Recipe (2024)

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A popular breakfast and snack item, this flaky Moroccan flatbread is an easy, fun hands-on baking project.

By

Michael Harlan Turkell

Broiled Mint Msem*n With Honey Recipe (1)

Michael Harlan Turkell

Michael Harlan Turkell is a once-aspiring chef and now an award-winning food pho­tographer and writer. He has photographed many prominent chefs’ cookbooks, co-authored a few, and even wrote one of his own: ACID TRIP: Travels in the Word of Vinegar (2017).

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated October 26, 2023

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In This Recipe

  • What Is a Msmen?

  • Use the Broiler

Why It Works

  • Greasing the dough with fat helps enrich the flatbreads and create distinct flaky layers.
  • Sprinkling fine semolina on the dough also helps keep the flaky layers distinct.

In the past couple years, I’ve been learning to make a number of flatbreads from around the world. I've worked my way through hand-stretched Indian naan, rich and buttery Persiannan-e qandi, and crisp, cracker-like Armenian lavash. But it was the flaky, stretchy, good-on-its-ownorused-as-a-wrapmsem*n(orm’smen) from Morocco that really caught my fancy.

What Is a Msmen?

I was introduced to it by the folks atHot Bread Kitchen, a NYC-based bakery that trains and empowers women from diverse backgrounds to thrive in the culinary workplace. In reading more about these quick-cooked doughs, I found that the Moroccan flatbread is made in a similar way to Viennoiserie pastries—laminated like a croissant—even though it looks more like a multi-layered tortilla.

The dough itself is easy to make, comprised of little more than flour, semolina, yeast, salt, sugar, and fat. The suffix “smen” is Arabic and although it's a term that refers to a type of fermented clarified butter popular in Moroccan cooking, many of the recipes that I've seen call instead for either plainclarified butteror oil, or sometimes a mix of the two.

The dough is pressed and stretched until very thin, then greased with the fat and folded. With each fold, more flaky, flavorful layers are created.

Msem*n is traditionally served during breakfast alongside a cup of mint tea, and it’s delicious dipped in honey, which only bolsters its buttery richness. Of course you don't have to follow this blueprint. For example, Hot Bread Kitchen makes both traditional and non-traditional msem*n, including one stuffed with kale and cheese.

In coming up with my own msem*n iteration, I added torn mint leaves to the first round of folds as a nod to the customary cup of tea. Fine semolina is sprinkled in between each layer, to prevent them from sticking together when cooked, helping each layer to be more defined. This msem*n is best when eaten fresh out of the oven, but it can also be wrapped in plastic and reheated after a day or two, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Use the Broiler

While msem*n dough is usually “baked” on a griddle, the broiler here accelerates the process, but still yields a nicely browned and blistered bread. The broiler works particularly well with msem*n because the bread is flat, which means there are no high points closer to the broiler that would burn before areas farther away are ready—something that would happen if you tried to broil dough that has more of a loaf-like shape.

One thing is certain; as flat as the bread is, the flavor is anything but.

September 2018

Recipe Details

Broiled Mint Msem*n With Honey Recipe

Prep30 mins

Cook10 mins

Active60 mins

Resting Time2 hrs 15 mins

Total2 hrs 55 mins

Serves8 servings

Makes8 flatbreads

Ingredients

For the Msem*n:

  • 1 pound 6 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (640g; 5 cups)

  • 1/2 teaspoon (2g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume or use the same weight

  • 1 teaspoon (4g) granulated sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon (1g) instant yeast

  • 1 1/2 cups (355g) warm water

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/4 cup (60g) vegetable oil

  • 1/4 cup (60g)unsalted butter

  • 1 cup packedmint leaves

  • 1/4 cup (45g) finesemolina

  • Flaky salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling

For the Honey-Butter:

  • 1/2 cup (120g) honey

  • 1/2 cup (120g)unsalted butter

  • 1 teaspoon (5g) water

  • Kosher salt

Directions

  1. For the Msem*n: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with dough hook, combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. With mixer running at low speed, slowly drizzle in water. Add egg and mix until thoroughly combined. Increase speed to medium and continue to knead dough until a very slightly sticky and tender dough forms, about 2 minutes.

  2. Transfer dough to greased mixing bowl. Lightly rub dough all over with oil. Cover with plastic and let rest in a warm place until dough increases in size by about 50 percent, about 1 hour.

  3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine butter and oil and heat over medium heat until butter is melted. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

  4. Transfer dough to lightly oiled work surface. Punch down dough. Coat your hands with butter/oil mixture. Divide dough into 8 equal portions and coat lightly with butter/oil mixture. Arrange dough balls on rimmed baking sheet, cover with plastic and let rest until dough balls have increased in size by about 50 percent, about 1 hour.

  5. Working one at a time on lightly oiled work surface, and using greased hands, flatten each dough ball, pushing outwards from center to make an 8- by 8-inch square; dough square should have a roughly even thickness throughout. Generously brush surface of dough with butter/oil mixture, dust all over with large pinch of semolina, and sprinkle mint leaves on top of dough.

    Broiled Mint Msem*n With Honey Recipe (3)

  6. Fold dough in thirds, like a letter. Brush top with more butter/oil, dust with more semolina, and season with pinch of flaky salt. Fold into thirds once more to make square packet. Return dough packets to baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic and let rest at least 15 minutes and up to 20 minutes.

    Broiled Mint Msem*n With Honey Recipe (4)

  7. Meanwhile, Make the Honey-Butter: In small saucepan, combine honey, butter, and water and cook over medium heat until butter is melted and sauce is smooth, stirring to combine. Season with salt and set aside to cool.

  8. To Finish: Preheat broiler and set oven rack to 6 inches from broiler element. Working one dough packet at a time, set dough packet on second rimmed baking sheet. Coat hands once more in butter/oil mixture, and, using your fingers, press and stretch dough packet out to a roughly 6- by 6-inch square.

    Broiled Mint Msem*n With Honey Recipe (5)

  9. Broil dough packet until browned in spots, turning once halfway through, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a platter and cover with kitchen towel to keep warm. Repeat with remaining dough packets (be sure to let baking sheet cool to a safe level between uses). Serve with honey butter.

Special Equipment

Stand mixer, rimmed baking sheets, small saucepan

Read More

  • Paratha (Flaky South Asian Flatbread)
  • Lahmajun (Armenian Flatbread with Spiced Lamb)
  • Lavash (Armenian Flatbread)
  • Grilled Naan
  • Sides
  • Moroccan
  • Yeast Breads
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
597Calories
27g Fat
78g Carbs
10g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories597
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 12g61%
Cholesterol 72mg24%
Sodium 443mg19%
Total Carbohydrate 78g28%
Dietary Fiber 3g9%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 10g
Vitamin C 0mg2%
Calcium 30mg2%
Iron 4mg25%
Potassium 133mg3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Broiled Mint Msem*n With Honey Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I make msemmen without semolina? ›

Fine semolina flour, known as "Smida" in Moroccan cuisine, adds a unique texture and more complex flavor to breads like Msem*n. If you don't have semolina flour on hand, you can substitute it with fine-grade corn flour (not as fine as masa harina though).

How to make msmemen? ›

Make the Msem*n Dough

Mix together flour, semolina, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Add warm water and mix to form a dough. Add more water if necessary to make a dough that is soft and easy to knead, but not sticky. If dough is too sticky to handle, add a little flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.

What is a Moroccan Maemen? ›

Msammen is a delicious square-shaped Moroccan bread that is traditionally enjoyed for breakfast with a cup of green mint tea! It's buttery, flakey, and so light. If you've ever had paratha or roti, it's very similar!

What kind of bread do moroccans eat? ›

Khubz: Morocco's Daily Bread

In Arabic, the word for bread is khubz. A communal oven is known as a khubz furan. One of the most common breads in Morocco is simply called khubz. Like a pita, it is round and can be hollowed out and filled with grilled meats.

What can I use if I don't have semolina? ›

Of course, semolina offers the best texture and flavor, but you can swap in an equal amount by volume of bread flour in a pinch. You can also substitute all-purpose flour, but bread flour is a better option — its higher protein content is closer to semolina, which will ensure better results.

Are Msem*n and paratha the same? ›

Rghaif aka Msem*n is a crispy square-shaped flatbread usually cooked on a pan with oil and butter. These square-shaped Moroccan pancakes are very similar to the Asian Paratha and the filled version is very similar to the Turkish Guzleme.

What is a typical moroccan breakfast? ›

Traditional Moroccan breakfast is a fried egg served in olive oil with a wedge of cream cheese and a couple of olives. Then 'jiben' – a little softer and more sour goats milk cheese – that's eaten on its own. Followed by sweet mint tea. The Moroccan way of eating is with your hands.

What is the DNA of Moroccan people? ›

Due to these various regional influences, the genetic makeup of the Moroccan population is a complex mixture of ancestral Maghrebi lineages, along with northeast and West African, European, and West Asians to different degrees.

Is Msem*n Moroccan or Algerian? ›

Msemmen (Arabic: مسمن msamman, musamman) or rghaif (رغايف), is a traditional flatbread originally from the Maghreb, commonly found in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.

What is the other name for Msem*n? ›

Moroccan Msem*n flatbread, also known as rghaif, meloui or faoud, is traditionally served with tagines or on its own with honey or Amlou.

What is the most eaten food in Morocco? ›

Couscous

One of the foremost popular Moroccan dishes is couscous. Traditionally, it's made from wheat pasta, which is rolled and sliced by hand. It's steamed with stewed meat and seasonal vegetables. While serving, the couscous is covered by meat, then vegetables are placed on top or on the edges of the pyramid.

What is Morocco's national dish? ›

Couscous is considered Morocco's national dish

Steamed above a pot of boiling vegetables, the dish is fluffed by hand for an hour or more to make sure the end result is up to scratch. Served with aubergines, onion and any other vegetable that takes your fancy, it not only tastes great but is super healthy too.

What fruit is grown in Morocco? ›

Persimmon, carob, figs, olives,oranges, mandarins, pear, melons, plums, nectarines, dates, strawberry, lemon, apples, pomegranate, watermelon, grapes, banana, cherries, dragon fruit, cactus-fruit, peaches, avocado, mangoes.

Is semolina flour necessary? ›

The high protein and gluten content of semolina flour means it is uniquely ideal for pasta-making, as these properties help to shape the pasta and maintain its shape when cooked. Semolina flour can also add a crispy crunch to pizzas and bread and yields dense, grainy, and nutty desserts.

What grain is similar to semolina? ›

Durum wheat is typically planted in the spring and harvested in the fall, and it's well adapted to the hot and dry conditions surrounding the Mediterranean sea ( 1 ). Durum wheat grains can be ground into semolina — a type of coarse flour commonly used in pasta, including couscous ( 2 ).

What is the same as semolina? ›

Both semolina flour and semola are made from durham wheat, which is a high prot5ein wheat. Both share a lovely yellow color. They differ in their grind, Semolina is relatively coarse, similar to a corn meal, where semola is much finer. Semola is milled twice.

What is the difference between semolina and plain flour? ›

Semolina is a flour that is made through the milling process of durum wheat. It's coarse compared to regular flour and is most often used for dishes like pasta, couscous, and bread. Compared to other flour types, semolina comes with health benefits that make it a great alternative to other, less nutrient flours.

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