and Artichokes 66
Lamb with Chestnuts and Cinnamon 69
Lamb Stuffed with Couscous and Dates 71
Lamb Confit with Raisins and Almonds 73
Lamb with Zucchini and Fresh Mint 75
Lamb with Prunes and Sesame Seeds 76
Braised Lamb with Fava Beans 78
Lamb with Onions and Cinnamon 80
Lamb with Caramelized Onions and Raisins 83
Lamb with Quince and Cinnamon 85
Roast Leg of Lamb 86
Veal with Crisp-fried Cauliflower 89
Meatball Tagine with Eggs 91
Fish with Mixed Vegetables and Couscous 93
Fish with Olives and Bell Peppers 95
Baked Stuffed Sardines 96
Baked Fish Stuffed with Almonds and Dates 99
Almond Pastry Snake 100
Sweet Egg Custard Pastries 103
Crunchy Almond Pastries 103
Almond Crescents 105
Sweet Almond Triangles 106
Sweet Almond Cigars 106
Cinnamon Rice Pudding 108
Honey Wheat Pudding 109
Green Mint Tea 110
Traditional Almond Milk 111
Enriched Almond Milk 111
Measurements and conversions 112
An impressive spread of tasty Moroccan snacks and appetizers.
Food in Morocco
Moroccan cuisine has been nurtured by centuries of Mediterranean influence
The history of Morocco has always been closely intertwined with the history of the Mediterranean. As a veritable crossroads of civilizations—an asylum for the Andalousian Jews and Arabs who were chased out of the kingdom of Grenada at the end of the 15th century; later a French Protectorate until its independence in 1956—Morocco offers an exceptional example of generosity and harmony. This multifaceted country reflects diverse regional, ethnic, and social influences, all of which left their mark on its past. It is this variety that gives Moroccan cuisine its unparalleled reputation. Moroccan cuisine is considered to be one the finest in the world and some of its most celebrated dishes have justly taken their place among the culinary classics of the world.
The “Isle of the Sunset,” Djerirat-al-Maghrib as the first Arab geographers named the land that would become Morocco, offers the traveler very diverse landscapes. First, there is the Atlantic Ocean lapping the shores in the west; then there are the Atlas and Rif Mountains that enclose a vast amphitheater reaching from the southwest to the northwest of Morocco; further south, the immense deserts that are still inhabited by nomadic peoples; and finally the central regions that spill out to the ocean where alternating plateaus, plains, and valleys have favored the development of culture and the rise of great cities.
This shop in the Aït Ourir souk (market) east of Marrakech offers tagines cooked over kanounes, a kind of clay cauldron.
The first inhabitants of Morocco were the Berbers who were invaded by the Omeyyad Arab dynasty of conquering warriors. Their empire reached from the Indus to the shores of northwest Africa. They built Muslim Spain and created a great civilization that reigned over the southern half of the peninsula and over Andalousia in particular.
In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, the Almoravid dynasty of Berbers, followed by the Almohad Berber dynasty, succeeded the Omeyyads as rulers of the Muslim territories in North Africa and Spain, and were responsible for the unification of Morocco.
Sub-Saharan Africa also left its mark on Morocco, trading its gold and other riches: the caravans that converged on the North included large numbers of women from Mali or the Sudan who would become the peerless dadas, the cooks who hold the secrets to the Moroccan kitchen.
It is this social and geographical diversity, and the peaceful cohabitation of different ethnic groups, that has enabled such a fine cuisine to evolve.
From north to south, Morocco offers travelers a wealth of contrasting landscapes. From the harsh winters of the Rif Mountains to the blazing caress of the Sahara, each region has developed its own ways with food, even if there are many elements that are shared from one province to the next. Mechoui (barbecued lamb) or kessra (bread) may be found in every region of the kingdom but the recipes have been adapted to suit the conditions in which they are made.
Take couscous—the national dish—for example. In the countryside, the ruggedness of everyday life imposes a sense of humility in the preparation of the dish: dried fava beans replace garbanzo beans while dried meat (gueddid) replaces the more tender, subtle, and more expensive fresh lamb.
The coastal regions have developed their own original couscous called kasksou baddaz, in which dried sweet corn replaces the traditional semolina and fish from the Mediterranean or Atlantic enriches the dish.
Austere desert life also contributes its own touch. In the regions where man must often content himself with a few dates and a little milk, couscous is accompanied by small fresh dates (kuran) that are baked until almost candied. There are even varieties of couscous made from barley or rice, again reflecting the heritage of the dadas.
The symbol of Marrakech and of Morocco as a whole, Jemaà el Fna Square bustles every evening with food stalls selling skewered meat, soups, snails, and much more. Jugglers, fire-eaters, snake charmers, storytellers, and monkey trainers add to the nightly spectacle.
In the furthermost regions, meat is rare and dishes are invariably flavored with spices. Here, visual appearance is paramount. All the senses are called upon to appreciate these attractive dishes with their heady aromas. Cooks are as skilled in marrying tastes as they are in assembling colors.
The result is a cuisine that is festive and sensual. Some claim it even possesses medicinal qualities. Arab doctors
