Posts Tagged ‘Moroccan Meal’

Morocco for Vegetarians, Your Morocco Tour Guide

Sunday, June 2nd, 2013

Moroccan Vegetable Tajine

Morocco offers plenty of fulfilling options for vegetarian travelers . It has wonderful  and abundant fresh vegetables and spices like cumin, saffron cinnamon and paprika and seasonal fruits which you will see piled high in local souks.

For breakfast  you will be offered bread with honey and jam and  omelettes . You can also try Moroccan pancakes and crepes called malouai with honey which are often served in local cafes.

Lunch is the main meal of the day and everything stops from noon to 3:00 p.m. Restaurants usually begin by serving a salad, which includes an array of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, radishes, green peppers, beetroot  and eggplant, with spices and herbs.

Moroccan Vegetable Dish

The main course often consists of a tagine or couscous.  A tagine is a slow-cooked stew  served in an earthen ware pot and funnel shaped cover.  Restaurants in the main cities are now more aware of  vegetarians and vegetable tangines are usually on the menu, but you need to make sure that they are not using a meat stock. Moroccan traditions do change to accommodate tourists but sometimes you have to make sure your requirements have been fully understood. Carry a phrase book in French and Moroccan Arabic. The same is also true for Morocco’s other favourite dish the couscous. Couscous is semolina grains which are steamed above a pot of boiling vegetables. Pieces of meat are also included so vegetarians have to ensure that there is no meat in the couscous and no meat based stock.

During Ramadan and other special occasions, harira with dates is served to break the fast. This  nutritious and delicious soup has a tomato base and is thick with lentils, chickpeas and herbs. Harira is often made with vegetables but you will need to check beforehand with the restaurant to ensure that it is made without meat or meat  based broth.

Street food and restaurant appetizers also offer an array of meatless delights including olives and hummus, dried fruits, roasted nuts and b’sarra (white bean soup with olive oil and garlic).

In Marrakech  Earth Café is well known as an organic vegetarian and vegan restaurant  and it is in the heart of the medina, just off the Jemaa el Fna square. They have six entrees, three of which are vegan at 60 dirhams [about 5 or 6 euros] for huge delicious portions. They also have good fresh juices.  Chez Chegrouni  also offers good vegetarian fare.

Café des Epices  and Terasse des Epices also offer excellent vegetarian meals as does the stylish Le Foundouk restaurant, not far from the Medersa Ben Youssef in the Medina.

Riad 58 Blu is a charming riad which serves excellent vegetarian food to order and  is open to non residents . Food needs to be ordered the night before.

Pepe Nero is a high class riad restaurant with an impressive menu of Moroccan and Italian vegetarian  dishes which need to  be ordered the night before.

Cuisine de Mona‘s  serves superb Lebanese  food  and vegetarian dishes which can be enjoyed  in  the restaurant or as a take away. The restaurant  is on an early  turning off the route de Targa just  before the three pizza  restaurants on the right hand side.

 In Essaouira two recommended restaurants are:

Lalla Mira is an organic and ‘eco’ restaurant, hotel and spa.

La Petite Perle,   a popular  restaurant which serves good vegitarian dishes.

In Fes

Riad Dar Dmana is inside the medina and serves excellent vegetarian meals to its guests which need to be ordered  the night before.

Café Clock  has several vegetarian and vegan dishes on its extensive menu and is a great meeting place in Fes for tourists, expats and locals.

For More Information on Morocco for Vegetarians or a Morocco Tour  
Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate
Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Eating in Djemaa-El-Fna Square, In Marrakesh, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
Dinner in the Djemaa El Fna Square
Dinner in the Djemaa El Fna Square, in Marrakesh, Photo by Mary Mimouna

Djemaa El Fna Square is in the heart of MarrakeshMorocco is like no where else on earth, and an adventure not to be missed after dusk.  Courageous travelers in Morocco will definitely want to eat in the Djemaa El Fna Square.  Tourists can avoid any chance of illness simply by sticking to foods that are actually cooked in front of them, and passed over to be eaten off of a clean paper.  The Moroccan family in the photo above is waiting for their main course to come out of the cooking pot in front of them.Whether you choose to eat or not, just a stroll through the Djemaa El Fna Square in the evening can provide some very unique photo opportunities.

Freshly Cooked Seafood in the Djemaa El Fna Square in Marrakesh, photo by Mary Mimouna
Freshly Cooked Seafood in the Djemaa El Fna Square in Marrakesh, Photo by Mary Mimouna

One of the best meals to have in Djemaa El Fna Square is a variety of types of freshly-cooked white fish including sole.  These are served with French fries, and a variety of salads eaten with bread out of a dish or off of a clean paper, consisting separately of mashed cooked eggplant with a squeeze of lemon and salt; tomato, onion, and parsley salad; and roasted green pepper salad.  You might also want to try chicken or beef brochettes (shish-ke-babs) roasted over a fire, or roasted whole chicken.  Snails are served from special carts.  If you have never tried snails, Morocco is definitely the place to do so.  Various bottles of soda pop are served as drinks.  For most tourists, this is the best option.  (Water and tea might be available, but you will be unwittingly sharing a cup with many other dinners, so these are best avoided in the Square.)

Cooked Sheepheads in Djemaa El Fna Squrare, in Marrakesh, Photo by Mary Mimouna;
Cooked Sheepheads in Djemaa El Fna Square, in Marrakesh, Photo by Mary Mimouna

Really adventurous diners will want to try sheep heads in Djemaa El Fna Square.  While most people in the West aren’t aware of it, bologna is made out of the tender meat of the face.  You can also try tongue, brains (a Moroccan favorite), heart, liver, or pancreas stuffed with rice and currants.  Some tourists may just want to take pictures of these things to send back home.

Once you have completed your meal, you step behind the serving cart, where a man is ready with soap and ladles of clean water to let you wash your hands.

Either before dinner, at sunset, or after eating, you may wish to sit up in Café Argana, a landmark in Djemaa El Fna Square where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the lively and exotic Square while sipping Moroccan coffee or tea.

Djemaa El Fna Square at Night, Photo by Mary Mimouna
Djemaa El Fna Square at Night, Taken from Café Argana, Photo by Mary Mimouna

The Djemaa El Fna Square is located next to the main entrance to the Marrakesh Souks.  A meal in the Square can also be a great start or finish to your Marrakesh one day tour or even a Sahara Desert Tour .

For more information about Eating in Djemaa El Fna Square or a Marrakesh Tour

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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Morocco, The Land of Olives, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

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Olive Souk in Marrakesh, Morocco, Photo by Mary Mimouna

If you are an olive olive lover, you will find Morocco to be a paradise!

All the different colors and varieties of Moroccan olives are cured with different methods. The lemony greens, the succulent reds, and the pungent blacks are all done in several different ways, and each style has separate uses in the Moroccan cuisine.

Once the olives are picked off the trees in mid-November, they are usually cut in Morocco with a razor blade, using a long, diagonal slash.  During the hand-cutting, they are sorted by color into green, red, and black, all going into different vats.

Freshly picked olives

The olive vats are then filled with water, with the water being changed daily, until most of the bitterness is soaked out.  This takes roughly two-to-three weeks, with each color taking a different amount of time.

The simplest home curing at this point involves just putting the olives into heavily-salted water.  However, many people have their own family recipes, and olives in the souk are most often using other recipes involving both vinegar and heavily salted water.  The olives are considered ready after three months, but can be eaten sooner.  Many families in Morocco try to preserve one or two barrels at home to use throughout the year.

Only green and red olives tend to be used in cooked recipes in Morocco, and each type is used in different traditional recipes.  Black olives are generally eaten as an accompaniment to salads, or arranged on top of the salad.

Black, salt-cured olives

Black, salt-cured olives

One interesting type of olive in the souk, which is also seen in restaurants, is a black variety which appears to be shriveled up, even spoiled.  Don’t worry!  Its shriveled appearance comes from the unusual way it is cured.  Instead of being cut and soaked in salt water, it is picked off the tree and packed directly into salt, where it it left for about three months.

Moroccan Green Cracked Spiced Olives

Moroccan spiced olives are another interesting variety of green olives.  The cured green olives are cracked (pits left in) and mixed with chopped corriander and flat parsley, chili flakes or small whole chilies, finely chopped garlic, cumin powder, lemon juice, and a little olive oil.  They are quite spicy, and often served before the meal in restaurants together with bread and butter.

While most often the pits are not removed, a few varieties do remove the pits and replace them with such delicacies as slivered almonds.

Whenever you visit the souks of Morocco, always take time to visit the olive markets, as the different olives on display provide a captivating photo opportunity.  When eating in Moroccan restaurants, do take time to enjoy how and where the different colors and varieties of olives are served.

For more information about Moroccan Olives or a Private Morocco Tour of Cuisine and Curing Olives

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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Visit Rick’s Cafe Live In Casablanca – Remembering Morocco In 1942

Saturday, May 30th, 2009
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Tour Morocco & Discover The Haute Cuisine of Fes

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

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Fes is the capital of Moroccan cuisine. Offering rich and distinct flavors of traditional dishes of tagines, couscous and harira. Tourists who are looking discovering the culture of Fes should make sure to set up cooking lesson or a culinary tour with a local restaurant. Morrocan cuisine is prepared with a variety of herbs and spices grown in the region.

There are some dishes that are distinct to Fes. Traditionally combining a sweet flavor with a rich bitter bite. Dishes like mint and melon salad, choukchouka salad, zaalouk salad, feta, tagine, lemons, vegetable tagine, or a chilled radish, orange and fennel salad are often prepared into large courses. And of course, topped of with some Moroccan mint tea.

food

Mint and Melon Salad

Choukchouka Salad

Zaalouk Salad

Feta

Tagine

Lemons

Vegetable Tagine

Chilled Radish, Orange and Fennel Salad

Moroccan Mint Tea

Blogs Filed Under:
Morocco’s Haute Cuisine in Fes, Cooking Lessons in Fes, Morocco, Celebrate Moroccan Cooking in Fes, Morocco Travel, Tours to Morocco, Morocco Tourism

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today

Moroccan Sweets and Pastries, North African Deserts & Recipes

Sunday, April 12th, 2009

 

Moroccan Pastries, Sweets and Deserts

Moroccan Pastries, Sweets and Deserts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuffed with almond paste, dusted with confectionery sugar and flaking with each bite, Moroccan pastries are reserved for special occasions. Cooking is regarded as an extravagant art in Morocco and in North Africa. Large meals are prepared for births, circumcisions, weddings, celebrations of the days of the profit and various other typical and Muslim specific holidays. Moroccan pastries and deserts are usually offered along with Moroccan Mint tea before the first course of a meal. When touring Morocco make sure to not miss out arriving on time if you are invited into someone’s home as this serves as the perfect opportunity for you to allow the sweeter part of the meal to linger.

As a Guest

Moroccan cuisine traditions are an essential learning experience that can also be provided on a Tailor Made Tour through Cooking with a Daada Chef and bread baking with the Berbers.Travelers that have the opportunity to stay with a Moroccan family will experience a breakfast made for the kings. The host family traditionally will serve a variety of pastries for breakfast: Rghaif (flat buttery Moroccan pastries), Sfenj (Moroccan doughnuts), French pastries (croissants), along with Bayd (eggs, cooked with cumin and sesame seeds), orange juice or coffee.

Moroccan Sfenj, Fried Doughnut

Moroccan Sfenj, Fried Doughnut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pancakes

Pancakes are a traditional breakfast food as well as a sweet treat in Morocco. On holidays they are adorned with honey, icing, sugar, butter or a rich almond paste. Baghrir pancakes are fried in hot oil, with dot-like air craters on on side.

History

These succulent Moroccan sweets were once only served to the sultans, Islamic leaders, and the elite. When spices were as prized as gold, lower classes were rarely able to partake in such indulgences. Now, when neighbors and friends come together during their afternoon break they enjoy the company with a pot of mint tea and pastries.

Souks

The smell of fresh pastries linger through the city streets. All throughout the maze-like souks vendors sell a wide range of Moroccan sweets. A savory dish, native to Morocco, is bastila, a multi-layered pastry filled with shredded chicken or pigeon meat gently and brushed with a lemon-onion sauce and covered in almonds, cinnamon and sugar. Other flaky croissants are served with warm honey, apricot or other jams.

All Shapes and Sizes

Moroccan deserts and pastries come in all shapes and sizes, generally pastries are light and healthy often made with nuts. Some are long and thin, others round- filled or hallow. Gazelle horns, a crescent shaped treat is of the most famous Moroccan sweets. Check out the recipe below!

Recipe: Kaab el-ghzal (gazelle horns)

serving size: 16 pastries

bake until lightly golden at 350 degrees F

1 3/4 cups of flour

2 tbsp. melted butter

2 tbsp. orange flower water

2 large egg yolks, beaten

A pinch of salt

Icing sugar

Almond Paste:

2 cups of finely ground Almonds

1 cup icing sugar

2 tbsp. orange flower water

2 tbsp. melted butter

2 egg yolks beaten

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients for the almond paste in a bowl, stir until smooth- divide paste into 16 pieces.

Take each piece and roll it into small cylinders (7cm long)

In another bowl, combine flour and salt, melted butter, orange flower and one egg yolk, add cold water to form a soft dough. Kneed for ten minutes, roll out into a thing rectangle- then cut into strips.

Place the almond paste on each pastry, spacing them 3 cm apart. Fold in half to seal the paste. Moisten both sides of the pastry with the remaining egg yolk and a small amount of water. Cut each pasty into a crescent shape, place on a buttered and floured baking sheet.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at 1800-787-8806 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Top 10 Places To Eat When Traveling To Marrakech

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

Marrakech is a hot spot for Moroccan cuisine, serving all types of traditional dishes with Asian, French, and Italian influences. Each of the Top 10 restaurants has a distinct and alluring atmosphere all with there own unique signiture styles.

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Dar Moha

Tables are delicately set with rose petals and candlelight under the vibrant green banana palms. The Dar Moha is a unique restaurant with distinguished dining beside the crystal blue waters of a small mosaic tile pool, and a Majorelle blue wall amidst the greenery.  For nearly ten years the Dar Moha has been set apart from other fine Moroccan dining, set in Pierre Balmain’s former home.  Inside the rooms feature an Asian art decor. The chef, Mohammed Fedal offers a great menu that includes vegitarian dishes. The wait staff also speaks English.

dar-moha

Catanzaro

This restaurant in highly acclaimed for its thin crust pizza baked over a wood fire. With a cozy atmosphere Catanzaro is one of Marrakech’s most popular restaurants. Along with serving pizza, the Catanzaro offers other fine Italian dishes. Adding a cultural flair to the quiet streets on the outskirts of Marrakech, the Catanzaro also has great affordable prices.

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Dar Yacout

Located in a medieval mansion the Dar Yacout is so grand it even has fireplaces in the bathrooms, mosaic floors, chandeliers and fountains. While costumers wait to be seated, they can sip drinks on Yacout’s rooftop terrace. Guests can enjoy the panaramic view of the Koutoubia mosque, while sprawled out on a sofa. Known for their lemon almond chicken tajine, and tasty desserts the Dar Yacout is a bit pricey, but it’s hard to find a more luxurious restaurant.

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Djemaa el Fna

Although the Djemaa el Fna is more of a marketplace, it is rated one of the Top 10 places to eat in all of Marrakech. The square is pulsing with culture filled with fresh orange juice vendors, and a variety of food stands. The square comes alive in the afternoon with Berber story-tellers, snake charmers, musicians and other forms of mystical entertainment to make a great atmosphere with great prices.

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Le Comptoir

Le Comptoir lures a feisty crowd with its belly dancers rhythmically carrying plates of Morocco’s traditional cuisine with French and Asian influences. Le Comptoir is a mix of a lounge and boutique with an upstairs bar, lounge cushions, and deep red walls.

Rights Managed

Le Marrakchi

Le Marrakchi has it all. Great food, moderate prices, candlelight, dancers, great music, intricate mosiac walls and best of all a Panaramic view of the Djemaa el Fna. If you call for a reservation at Le Marrakchi you can request a table by the window to watch the rich Moroccan culture below. At Le Marrakchi you can also try out the local beer of Casablanca and some of the finest local and imported wines.

 

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Le Foundouk

Le Foundouk is a Morroccan restaurant with a French twist, offering both countries traditional cuisine. Dining on the rooftop terrace makes for both a lovely sunkissed lunch and a peaceful dinner under the stars. The terrace has breathtaking views of Marrakech.  Lantern guides lead costumers in and out of the restaurant and through the narrow streets of the medina.

le-foundouk

Al Fassia

Al Fassia has a distant view of the Atlas Mountains, and also overlooks the Aguedal gardens. There is just something about the atmosphere that is beyond majestic. The meals are A la Carte, and served fresh by Al Fassia’s team of cooks.

le-tobsil

Chez Chegrouni

Chez Chegrouni has box seats out infront of the restaurant for the Djemaa el Fna, but is not to be mistaken for a tourist spot. Inside the restaurant lacks all the frills and decor of some of the other Top 10 spots, but the locals and the tourists divide for some classic Moroccan cuisine.

Courtesy of

Jnane Tamsna

A calm get-a-way from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Marrakech, the Jnane Tamsna is a great dining experience with Moroccan-Mediterranean cuisine made from the organic gardens of the villa. The Jnane mission is to blend with local culture and provide a fresh perspective.

 

 

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Moroccan Spice Tour: From Souks to the Plate- Essentials For Moroccan Cooking

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

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Exotic aromas of ginger, coriander, and cinnamon mingle in the streets. Fine mounds of spices tower like sand pyramids in the dusty souks of Morocco.  Deep red paprika, vibrant yellow turmeric, beige sesame, green olives and lemons layer in eye catching patterns.

One of the largest markets for Moroccan spices is in Agadir. The spices are customarily displayed in metal tins, woven baskets or plastic tubs. Each dose is weighed individually and sold in a modest paper bag.

Medicinal Properties

Herb specialists in the souks have a wealth of knowledge of the medicinal benefits of the array of red, orange and yellow spices. Cumin, in between a rust and gold color, has been utilized as a stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative, sedative, digestive and also a remedy for colic and dyspeptic headaches. Saffron along with its pungent flavor and sharp odor is said to cure asthma, and some herbalists claim it contains anti-cancer properties. Cinnamon is known to have antibacterial entities and turmeric along with exhibiting strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidants also helps slow the process of food spoiling.

spicesNative Spices


While many spices were emported from the East they also originate throughout the Mediterranean and can be specifically found in Morocco. Saffron, which is often used when cooking white meats, poultry and lamb, is native from Tiliouine. Saffron is difficult to cultivate because it must be picked by hand, and for every one gram it requires 140 of the violet blue flowers. Lemons and oranges originate in Fez, and olives and mint derive from Meknes. Some other widespread spices are also home grown: cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, mint, pepper, ginger, paprika, sesame seed, anis seed, coriander, and parsley.

Dessert

Spices are the heart of Moroccan cooking, and are crucial for making a couscous or a tajine, two popular Moroccan dishes, they are also used sparingly in many desserts. Halwa shebakia, a Moroccan delicacy, is a type of honey cake. Its pretzel-like pieces of dough deep-fried and dipped into a hot pot of honey are then sprinkled with sesame seeds. The ingredients also include a teaspoon of turmeric and ground cinnamon. Saffron is also commonly used in desserts (milk, yogurt, puddings) and teas.

Mint-Tea Fresh

Not only a breath freshener, mint is also served as an herbal remedy with soothing tendencies. Traditionally while Moroccans pour their tea they raise the steaming pot high above the glass, when the tea bubbles it insures its freshness. Mint tea is also customarily served in small shots. While negotiating prices in the souks, it is common that bargainers will be offered some mint tea.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

A Taste of Morocco: Vegetarian Dining The Amanouz Cafe

Monday, March 30th, 2009

amanouz cafeAfter reading all about the traditional cuisine and sweet mint tea of Morocco I was more than ready to experience it myself when I headed to Amanouz Café in Northampton, Massachusetts. Located on Main Street this unassuming café specializes in the mouth-watering aromas and sumptuous tastes of Moroccan cuisine transporting it from the North African Sahara to this small New England town.

As I made my way to Amanouz Café on a sunny March afternoon I started wondering if I would be able to find anything on the menu that I would actually be able to eat. As a non meat-eater I have found myself in many situations at restaurants where I am forced to nibble on a few lettuce leaves or find myself, once again, ordering the tuna melt because every other option on the menu is loaded with meat. Having read up on Moroccan cuisine I knew that many of the dishes were stews that focused on meats such as chicken or beef and that lamb was often the king of the Moroccan table. Needless to say, Amanouz Café was not about to disappoint me and I walked away from my lunch incredibly full and tremendously satisfied.

Amanouz Cafe

vegetarian tajine Sitting at one of the small tables in the casual dining area at Amanouz Café I let the soothing Moroccan music wash over me as I surveyed the scene. The walls of the café are lined with the work of local artists and a small bookcase contains pictures and informational books on Mediterranean and Moroccan cultures. Having arrived just before the lunch rush the atmosphere is calm and hushed with many customers sitting alone with a book or a laptop, sipping on their tea and enjoying a moment’s peace. The kitchen is at the back of the dining area, allowing patrons to see and smell their meals being prepared with a large counter sectioning it off from the dining area. The counter itself is covered with sweet Mediterranean and Moroccan treats, from honey-filled pastries to pistachio nut-covered cakes. The aromas wafting from the kitchen remind my stomach how hungry it is and I turn my attention to the menu…

A Vegetarian Moroccan Meal

To my surprise, and delight, the menu at Amanouz Café was full of vegetarian options and vegetarian versions of classic Moroccan meals. What I didn’t realize is that meat is often a specialty item, especially for Moroccan peasants, and so many dishes featured vegetables and couscous with fish rather than meat. Fresh vegetables, herbs, breads, fish, couscous, and olives are main staples in Moroccan cuisine which means that as a vegetarian I still get to enjoy the traditional, and delicious, Moroccan meals.

Moroccan Mint Tea

The tea came served in a traditional metal tea pot with a water glass that had fresh mint leaves at the bottom. The sweet minty flavor of the tea was absolutely delicious and made me understand the reason for its popularity in Morocco.

Moroccan Sardine Salad

The Sardine salad came next, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, a hard boiled egg and peppers topped with a Moroccan salsa, fresh sardine fillets, and sprinkled with fresh cilantro. Delicious, fresh, and simple, the perfect start to my Moroccan meal.

Moroccan Pizza

Next came the Amanouz pizza, a Moroccan twist on an Italian classic. This individual sized pizza, made on Moroccan pita bread rather than pizza crust, had an ingenious assortment of roasted peppers, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, onions, and olives; needless to say it wasn’t left sitting on the plate for very long!

Traditional Moroccan Lentil soup

The soup of the day at Amanouz Café was traditional Moroccan Lentil soup. A thick, dark, and rich soup chock full of tender lentils and finished off with a swirl of olive oil. The soup made a surprisingly delicious, and extremely filling, contribution to the meal.

Tagine Fish

To my delight I found that not all tagine dishes in Moroccan cuisine focused on meat, this tagine was a stew that consisted of rice, tomatoes, grilled green peppers, and finished with large balls of fish meat on the top. The fish balls were topped with slices of fresh lemon, grated carrots, and fresh parsley and cilantro. It was presented in a traditional tagine by the server who ceremoniously took off the top of the dish allowing the amazing aromas to waft out.

Moroccan Couscous

To accompany the tagine I had a side order of traditional Moroccan couscous. The couscous was light and fluffy and seasoned with just enough salt and pepper and finished off with a sprinkling of parsley. It made a great addition to the fish tagine but was also delicious enough to eat on its own. It is quite obvious why Moroccans serve couscous at every meal, as a versatile and delicious dish couscous can make a great addition to any meal or be a meal by itself.

My vegetarian Moroccan adventure came to a close with more Moroccan mint tea and a few nibbles of the delicious sweet pastries from the counter. Extremely full and more than satisfied by my delicious lunch I walked away from Amanouz Café that afternoon already planning what to order during my next visit. With so many delicious vegetarian options I was happy to know that I could enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine in such a wonderful atmosphere so close to home.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Moroccan Dinner – Family Tour, Couscous And Sweet Mint Tea

Saturday, February 7th, 2009

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It wasn’t the impressive architecture or the rich history of Morocco that resonated with my friend Mindy the most during her recent trip to Morocco (although she certainly appreciated both) rather, it was the people she met and their infinite hospitality and seemingly unfaltering smiles. “Everyone is just so happy,” Mindy said, “they’re not busy or rushed. The men all hold hands or walk arm in arm unhurried down the street. A lot of the time you see the men sitting at coffee shops or standing in groups talking to one another and right down the street you see a group of women doing the same thing. They all seem totally laid back.”

One night in particular Mindy was shown the true extent of Moroccan hospitality when she and her cousin were picked up by a Moroccan friend at the train station a few towns away from their hotel in Marrakech. The friend took them back to his and his mother’s house and insisted that they stay there the night rather than look for a hotel. He then told them that his family had already eaten but his mother could make something for them if they were hungry. “His mother came out of the kitchen with a huge chicken, a Moroccan salad of chopped tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onion, cumin, and lemon or lime juice, and this huge loaf of bread, all of this for just the two of us!” Mindy said, “They had obviously been planning to feed us.”

Mindy remembers that they sat in the family’s living room on couches that lined the walls; traditionally Moroccans share their home and meals with their extended families so they need a lot of space and seats to make room.

“They don’t use silverware and I wasn’t really sure how to eat the chicken,” Mindy said. She learned that the big round loaf of bread that they were served is used instead of silverware to sop up all of the juices from the meal.

After the meal was cleared away cups of the traditional sweet mint tea were served and the night ended with great food, delicious tea, and even better company.

The pictures below are of the living where Mindy ate her dinner and of the courtyard in the middle of her friend’s house which is quite common in Morocco.

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Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.