The Art of Moroccan Cuisine (Part V)

A Culture of Eating, Drinking, and Being Hospitable

  Dried Fruits and Nuts – Dates are a Moroccan national speciality. They are best grown in the South, from the area of Goulmima to Zagora and the Draa Valley. They are essential during the month of Ramadan, when they accompany harira as the breaker of the fast. They are also widely used in tagines. See Lahcen’s recipe for lamb tagine with prunes and dates. Figs, dried apricots and prunes are some other dried fruits which are served in tagines. Almonds and walnuts are the most commonly used nuts in Morocco. Both are used in pastilla. Almonds are used in tagines alongside dried apricots.

READ MORE

The Art of Moroccan Cuisine (Part IV)

A Culture of Eating, Drinking, and Being Hospitable

  Herbs – Maadnous and qsbour (parsley and cilantro) are always bought together in the Moroccan souks. They are the most commonly used herbs in Moroccan cuisine and essential to almost every dish. Liqama, or mint is the second most important herb since it is used to make Moroccan mint tea. Shiba, or absinthe is illegal in some countries because of its stimulative drug properties. However, in Morocco it is a popular repacement for mint in tea during the winter when mint is out of season. Louisa (verbena) and marjolane are also used in tea and are valued for their healing qualities. Anise is used on pastries and bread. You can find thyme used in desserts, like roasted figs and apricots.

READ MORE

Moroccan Crepes "Razat El Quadi/El Kadi"

   This is another traditional typical crepe, very popular in the West region of the Kingdom of Morocco, called Razat El Quadi or El Kadi (رزة القاظي - also spelled Rzeeza or Rzyza or Rziza =رْزِيزَة ), which is a unique Moroccan crepe, that literally means 'Judge's Turban'. Strangely enough, these delicious Moroccan crepes are named after a turban, which is a traditional and rural head dress that Moroccan men wear in some regions, especially in the Sahara (Desert) to protect them from wind, dust, dry hot weather in summer and cold, sandstorms in winter.

   Rzeeza is usually served during Ramadan and also for special occasions or any-time, but traditionally, Rzeeza is treated as a special breakfast food item for a newly married couple in the West region of Morocco and this occasion is called "Ftour El 3rouss" = فْطُورْ العْرُوسْ, which means = "The Bride's Breakfast". The first breakfast that a newly married couple share, should be exceptional, so Rzeeza is definitely at the top of the breakfast list for the couple, and usually served along with milk, Msamen, Melwy, stuffed dates, boiled eggs, Harira, croissants, Atay, etc..... In times past, Rzeeza would be prepared by the bride's aunties or older sisters or grandmother who were considered great bakers or cooks, but there are now bakers' shops or pâtisserie who are able to serve authentic Rzeeza for this special occasion. Both the groom’s and bride’s families (only close family members) would gather around the table to mingle, spend time with one another, introduce themselves and more importantly show their support to the couple in their new life. Rzeeza always brings back fond wonderful childhood memories for me, it was something I look forward to during Ramadan or tea-break after school.

READ MORE

The Art of Moroccan Cuisine (Part III)

A Culture of Eating, Drinking, and Being Hospitable

The Moroccan Spice Cabinet
Moroccan food is marked by the medley of spices found in its dishes. Dried ginger, cumin, salt, black pepper and tumeric is a mixture found in almost every tagine and couscous. Cumin is used in almost every Moroccan dish and is considered so important that it is served on the table along with salt and pepper. Cinnamon can be found in tagines, bisteeya, and fruit salads. Paprika and Sahara chiles are used to spice up some tomato-based dishes, vegetable tagine, and charmoula. The South of Morocco is a source of pure saffron pistils that are used in food, tea and as an herbal medicine. Ras l’hanoot means “the head of the shop”. This spice is a mix of 20-40 different spices concocted by the shop owner. Cardamom is used in cream desserts, like muhallabiya. Sesame seeds are found on pastries and are very important during Ramadan to make special Ramadan desserts like sllou, a sweet and heavy paste made with sesame seeds. Cloves are sometimes used when making broth.

READ MORE

The Classic Moroccan Flower Cookies

Chebakia or Chebakiya (Mkharqua-Mkharka-Mkhar9a)
The Classic Moroccan Flower Cookies

In Agadir (South of Morocco), they have a special version of Chabakiya, 
called Bouchnikha = بوشْنيخَة ou 
Chebakiya Khyout (5yout) = الشّْبّاكيّة خْيُوطْ .

READ MORE