Tajeen Jban ”Cheese Tagine” (طاجين جبن)

Tajeen Jban is one of the most popular appetizers in Tunisia and Libya, it’s very similar to the Italian Frittata or a thick Spanish tortilla de patatas, but with more ingredients.

It’s a traditional Tunisian recipe for a classic stew of mutton, onion and tomato in a base flavoured with Arabic flavours that is thickened with a cheese and breadcrumb blend, topped with eggs and finished by baking. Unlike Moroccan tajines, a tajine in Tunisia usually refers to a kind of "quiche", without a crust, made with beaten eggs, grated cheese, meat and various vegetable fillings, and baked like a cake.

• 200g minced meat
• 1 Potato, finely diced
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 250g grated cheese
• 4-5 eggs
• 1 Tbs tomato paste
• 1 Tbs stale breadcrumbs
• parsley, handful
• salt & pepper
• 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp ground turmeric

Heat cooking oil in a frying pan, add the diced potatoes, when cooked remove and set aside on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

Season the minced meat with salt, pepper, ground turmeric and ground cinnamon then mix in the breadcrumbs, parsley and tomato paste and fry until browned on all sides.
Beat the eggs and in a separate bowl, put the cooked diced potatoes and beaten eggs with the cheese and mix well, then add the cooked minced meat mixture and give it one good last mix.

pre-heat the oven to 180°, in the meantime grease the baking tray and pour the mixture and bake for around 15-20 minutes or until you can insert a knife in the middle of the ”tajeen” and it comes out clean, before the last few minutes sprinkle some grated cheese on top.

 

Let rest and slice into squares. The best thing about this dish it’s like an omelette, use whatever you prefer you can always use chicken, or add black olives, mushrooms, eggplant, or bell peppers… feel free