Eggah
Arab dish of eggs in a pancake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eggah, or ijeh (Arabic: عجة, ʻEgga) is an egg-based dish in Arab cuisine that is similar to a frittata or a French omelette, but firmer, as it uses eggs to bind fillings like meat and vegetables.[2][3][4][1]
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Egyptian eggah | |
| Alternative names | Ijje |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Arab world |
| Serving temperature | Hot or cold[1] |
| Main ingredients | Eggs, vegetables |
It comes in various forms and is prepared in various ways, in most varieties, the eggs are mixed with cream and with herbs and vegetables like parsley, mint, and leeks,[5] as well as meats like ground beef or lamb.[6][7] Cooking methods include oven baking (as a casserole) and skillet cooking (as single-person omelettes or latkes).[8][9][10] It often utilizes vegetable leftovers.[10][2]
Eggah is commonly seasoned with spices such as pepper, cinnamon, cumin, coriander seeds, turmeric, nutmeg and fresh herbs.[11] It is usually circle-shaped and served sliced into rectangles or wedges, sometimes hot and sometimes cold.[7] Eggah can be served as an appetizer, main course or side dish.[7]
History
The 10th-century Arabic cookbook by Abassid author Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq contained a chapter titled في عمل العجيم المدوترات و المخلطات (making omelet discs), it contained several recipes for ujjas that were pan-fried or oven-baked, and used ingredients like green onions, mint, milk, and starch.[12]
Name
Ijjeh (Arabic: عجة, romanized: ʿujja) may also be spelled idjeh, ujja, or ijeh.[10][2] Ijje is sometimes translated to English incorrectly as "omelette".[10]
Eggah is often used in Egypt and the Maghreb region, while ijjeh/ijeh/ijje is more common in the Levant.[2]
Variations
Variations of the eggah can include fillings such as; parsley, onion, tomato, bell pepper, and leek.[11] Some versions, like Palestinian ones, may include flour and baking powder in their ijeh.[13]
Tunisian ojja is often made with eggs, tomatoes, merguez sausages, and seafood.[1][14][15]
One common Syrian variation is made into a disk with herb and vegetable filling and then pan fried.[2][16][17] Similar ejjeh's are popular in Palestine.[18]
Comparison to similar foods
Eggah is often likeend and compared to many other egg-based dishes, such as:
- Eggah is often called an omelette; although eggah is often firmer, heavier, and may be served cold.[1][2]
- Persian kuku is can be considered to be an eggah,[2][1] though core ingredients may vary slightly.[19]
- Eggahs made with flour or bread crumbs are described to have a "pancake-like" texture.[13][2]
See also
- Arab cuisine – Culinary traditions of Arab people
- Egyptian cuisine
- Kuku – Egg-based Iranian dish, a similar Persian egg dish
- Murtabak – Stuffed pancake with various fillings
- Spanish omelette – Traditional dish of egg and potato
- List of egg dishes
