Mbatten (Libyan Potato Slices Stuffed with Spiced Meat)
Local name: مبطن
In short: Thin potato slices sandwiched around herby spiced minced beef, dipped in egg and fried until crisp. A Libyan party starter, often served with couscous. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Mbatten is a Libyan special-occasion dish that turns potatoes into little sandwiches. Thin slices are filled with minced beef, onion, parsley and mint, coated in egg and fried until golden, then finished in the oven so the filling cooks through. They appear at Ramadan tables, weddings and family lunches, as a starter or beside couscous. The effort is in the slicing and sandwiching, and each batch disappears quickly.
Instructions
- Slice the potatoes into rounds 5 mm (1/4 in) thick, sorting them into similar sizes so they pair up. You need about 40 slices.
- Blanch the slices in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, until just bendable but not falling apart. Drain and pat dry on a clean towel.
- Mix the beef, onion, herbs, garlic, spices, salt and pepper in a bowl until it holds together.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of filling on a potato slice, top with a matching slice and press the edges together. Repeat with the rest.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Dust each sandwich with flour, dip it in the beaten egg and let the excess drip off.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan to 170°C (340°F). Fry the sandwiches in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden, and move them to a baking tray.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the filling reaches 71°C (160°F). Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Tips
- A mandoline set to 5 mm (1/4 in) gives even slices that seal well. Slices that are too thin tear, and thick ones stay raw inside.
- Assemble the sandwiches up to 4 hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Coat and fry them just before serving.
Questions and answers
Can I bake mbatten instead of frying them?
Yes. Coat the sandwiches, brush them with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 30 minutes, turning once. They will be less crisp but still good.
What do you serve with mbatten?
Serve them as a starter with lemon, pickles or a spicy tomato dip. For a main meal, serve them next to couscous or a green salad.
Can I freeze mbatten?
Freeze them fully cooked and cooled, in a single layer, for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 190°C (375°F) oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
How long does it take to make Mbatten (Libyan Potato Slices Stuffed with Spiced Meat)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 45 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mbatten (Libyan Potato Slices Stuffed with Spiced Meat)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 36 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 420 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
