• NB: The quantity of msemens will depend on the size of the dough balls to form larger or smaller squares.

The msemens dough

• Mix flours and salt in a large mixing bowl, then combine with water to form a ball.
• Add the water gradually to obtain a dough that you can knead, but which should not be too soft.
• Knead well, adding water as you go to soften the dough. You can use a stand mixer if you prefer.
• Knead the dough for at least 15 minutes. Dilute the baker's yeast with a spoonful of water and stir into the dough while continuing to knead a little. The dough should be soft and elastic.
• Take half the dough for the classic msemens and stir in the vanilla diluted in a spoonful of water.
• The addition of vanilla is not essential, it's up to your taste.
• If you want to make only classic msemens, mix the vanilla with the flour at the beginning of the kneading process.
• Wrap the other half in cling film and refrigerate.

Preparing classic msemens

• Shape into balls the size of small peach. Coat with oil and sprinkle with a mixture of durum wheat flour and baking powder. Start making your msemens by following the steps below.
• You can see the process in images within the article.
• Roll out a dough ball into a thin circle on the oiled work surface.
• Sprinkle with the mixture of durum wheat flour and baking powder, then fold one side to the center and the other side over it to form a long rectangle.
• Fold one side to the center, then fold the other side over to form a square.
• Brush oil between each fold and lightly sprinkle with the mixture of flour and baking powder.
• Leave the squares on the work surface or place them on a baking sheet while you finish the rest of the dough.
• You can start baking after letting them relax for about 15 minutes, or wait until you've finished all the dough.
• Heat a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan and greased with a brush or paper towel.
• To bake, start with the first square of msemen formed. Sprinkle with a little durum wheat flour to flatten slightly and place in the pan.
• Turn over as soon as one side is golden brown to brown the other.
• For perfect cooking and browning, turn them over several times, first one side, then the other. This allows the layer to develop.

The fillings

• Ground Beef and Cheese Msemens
• Prepare the filling and let it cool before preparing the dough.
• Sauté the chopped onion in a bit of olive oil, then add the bell pepper. Season with salt and cook until they become translucent.
• Add the ground meat, breaking it up with a fork as it cooks. Stir in the parsley and harissa. Continue to cook until all the liquid has evaporated and only the oil remains. Let it cool completely.
• Take the other half of the dough out of the fridge, make balls the size of small peach and start making your msemens, following the folding instructions above at first. Then stuff and fold them using the following method.
• Place a little stuffing with a portion of cheese on top in the center of the resulting msemens squares. Fold each corner of the square to cover the stuffing. Hold the center with an olive.
• Bake the stuffed msemens on a buttered baking sheet in a preheated oven at 200°C (392°F) , until golden brown.
• Black Olives and Oregano Msemens
• Prepare them in the same way as plain msemens,
• Place a small amount of olive tapenade in the center of the rolled-out dough disc. Fold one side of the dough over the filling, then fold the other side over to form a long rectangle.
• Fold one side of the rectangle towards the middle to cover the filling. Turn over, then fold the other side to form a square. For greater clarity, see the photos below.
• I hope you'll enjoy these msemens and want to make them.