Meat and Potato Mafrum

Mafrum is a cherished dish with deep roots in Libyan Jewish cuisine, a legacy of a community that thrived for centuries before its displacement. This hearty dish, often found in Israeli restaurants today, features tender vegetables stuffed with a savory meat filling, simmered in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. It’s a comforting reminder of a vibrant culture that lives on through its flavors. Whether you’re familiar with Libyan cuisine or exploring it for the first time, Mafrum invites you to experience the delicious blend of history, tradition, and heart that defines Jewish food.

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Meat and Potato Mafrum

Discover the rich flavors and history of Libyan Mafrum—a dish that tells a story in every bite.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 430kcal

Ingredients

POTATOES

• 5 potatoes
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs

MEAT FILLING

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ cup parsley chopped
• 2 eggs
• ½ large onion chopped
• ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons oil for frying

SAUCE

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 2 tablespoon paprika
• ⅓ cup tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 3 tomatoes chopped
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

• Peel potatoes.
• Cut into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick wedges.
• Cut into each wedge to make a V shaped potato (see video for detailed instructions).
• Place cut potatoes in water to keep fresh.
• In a mixing bowl add all the meat filling ingredients and mix well.
• Take a golf-ball sized ball of meat and stuff into the potatoes.
• Roll the stuffed potatoes in flour, then in egg.
• Add oil to pan and fry potatoes on all sides.
• For the sauce, add oil to pot (that has a lid) on medium heat.
• Add garlic and paprika then stir quickly to not burn the paprika.
• Add tomato paste and water. Stir.
• Add tomatoes, onions, salt and pepper.
• Stir, add potatoes, cover and cook on low heat for 45 mins.
• Serve on a bed of couscous and garnish with cilantro or parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 1045mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1909IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 5mg

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