Surinamese Stuffed Bread

Ingredients

While the original Khobza Medfouna is typically filled with Algerian spices and ingredients, the Surinamese version incorporates Surinamese flavors and ingredients. The Surinamese Stuffed Bread uses a unique blend of Surinamese spices, such as masala and five-spice powder, and includes ingredients like cassava, chicken, and chayote. This adaptation adds a distinct Surinamese twist to the traditional Algerian dish. We alse have the original recipe for Khobza medfouna, so you can check it out.

• For the bread: For the bread:
• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast
• 10g (2 tsp) sugar 10g (2 tsp) sugar
• 10g (2 tsp) salt 10g (2 tsp) salt
• 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water 300ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• 60ml (¼ cup) vegetable oil 60ml (¼ cup) vegetable oil
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 300g (10.5 oz) chicken breast, cooked and shredded 300g (10.5 oz) chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 chayote, peeled and diced 1 chayote, peeled and diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and grated 1 carrot, peeled and grated
• 1 potato, peeled and diced 1 potato, peeled and diced
• 1 cup cassava, peeled and grated 1 cup cassava, peeled and grated
• 2 tsp Surinamese masala powder 2 tsp Surinamese masala powder
• 1 tsp five-spice powder 1 tsp five-spice powder
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying Vegetable oil for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 65g, 4g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt for the bread. Gradually add warm water and vegetable oil, and knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1 hour.
2. 2.
   In a separate pan, heat some vegetable oil and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the shredded chicken, chayote, carrot, potato, and cassava. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
3. 3.
   Add the Surinamese masala powder, five-spice powder, salt, and pepper to the filling mixture. Stir well to combine all the flavors. Remove from heat and let it cool.
4. 4.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
5. 5.
   Divide the dough into small portions and flatten each portion into a circle. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of each circle and fold the dough over to seal the filling. Pinch the edges to secure the filling.
6. 6.
   Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
7. 7.
   Serve the Surinamese Stuffed Bread warm with your favorite chutney or hot sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cassava — Make sure to peel and grate the cassava before using it in the filling. Cassava can be quite starchy, so it's important to cook it thoroughly to achieve a soft texture.
• Chayote — Peel the chayote before dicing it for the filling. It adds a unique flavor and texture to the dish.
• Surinamese masala powder — Use authentic Surinamese masala powder for the best flavor. You can find it in specialty stores or online.
• Five-spice powder — This aromatic spice blend is readily available in most grocery stores. It adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the filling.
• Shredded chicken — Cook the chicken breast before shredding it for the filling. You can boil, bake, or grill the chicken until it's fully cooked and tender.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier filling, add some chopped chili peppers or Surinamese hot sauce to the mixture.
• You can customize the filling by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or green beans.
• Serve the Surinamese Stuffed Bread as a main course with a side salad for a complete meal.
• Leftover stuffed bread can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for a quick and tasty snack.
• Experiment with different chutneys or sauces to find your favorite accompaniment for the bread.

Serving advice

Serve the Surinamese Stuffed Bread warm to enjoy the contrast between the crispy crust and the flavorful filling. It can be served as a standalone dish or as part of a larger Surinamese feast.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, on top of the stuffed bread before serving. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.