Bakbooki or Mbakebka is a Libyan traditional dish,it is simply macaroni/pasta with runny tomato sauce.It is loved by almost everyone,even foreigners who try it for the first time. The only thing I and any other Mbakebka eater hate about the dish is trying to eat it when hot,you always have to wait at least 10-15 minutes to start eating it,this is due to the sauce (margga). Bakbooki is a fast and easy dish to make,it is always the backup meal for any Libyan family when there is no time to cook something fancy.
To prepare Mbakebka,you must have pasta,any type will be just fine,tomato paste,tomatoes,hot water,spices,potatoes,carrots,chicken,and chic peas.Its up to different people weather or not they want to add mushrooms,peas,sea food. First of all,slice some onions and add some oil,then put the pieces of chicken,all this is done in a tanjra over the oven. Add the spices (bharat,filfil,salt). Slice some fresh tomatoes and add half a can of tomato paste,mix everything together,you could add some garlic to give the whole thing a kick.Add water to the half or more,depends on your family.You keep that for about 15-20 minutes over hot fire then later comes the potatoes and carrots as they don't take much time to get ready.Add the pasta,it should take about 7-9 minutes then its should be ready.Pour the whole thing in a huge bowl (gas3a). Instead of pasta you can use Reshta (reshtat burma/reshta mbakebka),or rice (roz mbakbak). Enjoy and get your tongue burned!!
