September 12, 2013Read time - 3 minutesJoin Exodus’ Dan Jackson for a worldwide culinary odyssey. This time it's off to Morocco.I feel I short-changed you all a bit by getting the ball rolling with a mere salad (albeit a lovely Ceviche – I trust it proved a big hit) but I wanted to break you all in gently – this time we're going in for a no holds barred double bill of delights featuring recipes that are both simple and sociable, but full of flavours we don’t always utilise at home.Moroccan CuisineThere are several different influences in Moroccan cuisine. Berbers in the Sahara Desert introduced dates and figs, the Moors bought with them olives and nuts from Andalucia and the Arabs came laden with exotic spices.Take into account the very recent French influence and Moroccans have a variety of ingredients and cooking techniques at their disposal to create some very exciting and flavoursome cuisine.Traditional chicken tagine Moroccan TagineTagine is the famous Moroccan stew named after the two-part terracotta dish with a large round base and a conical lid that the meat and vegetables are cooked in. The lid remains on whilst cooking helping to keep the meat moist and tender.When ready to serve, the Tagine is placed in the centre of the table and the lid removed with a theatrical flourish to reveal the piping hot juicy stew. Everyone then dives in and helps themselves, making for a very sociable meal in a family home - it is only in restaurants you'd be served individual pots.Moroccan HariraMy second offering for you is Harira, Morocco’s national soup. During the month of Ramadan, the fast is traditionally broken at sunset with a bowl of this lentil or chickpea potage to get the family meal started.I first tasted Harira on a trip to Fez over 10 years ago, purchased from a street vendor in the chaotic Medina for just a few dirhams – I had managed to lose myself in a maze of dark, extremely narrow alleyways but followed my nose and was given the kiss of life by the nourishing properties of this rich and savoury soup.When the bartering and haggling all gets a bit too much (I know what it's like in Waitrose on a Friday evening) then an evening meal of Harira followed by a Tagine will certainly soothe your frayed nerves and aching limbs.Harira Soup RecipeServes 4300g minced lamb150g lentils or chickpeas100g finely chopped onions100g rice300g chopped tomatoes50g celery50g gingerFresh parsley and corianderPinches of paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper50g flour1.5 litres of water2 eggsMethodLightly fry the onion and celery until golden.Then add the minced lamb, spices and a little water and cook for 15 minutes.Add the tomatoes, parsley and coriander and lentils or chickpeas cook for 20 minutes adding water to make a consistency you like.Add the rice, and when cooked then pour in the beaten eggs.Finally, add the flour that you have mixed with a little water and stir continuously to avoid it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.Lamb Tagine Recipe with Prunes and AlmondsServes 41 leg spring lambMeat stock400g prunesFresh coriander and parsley200g almondsTablespoon of honey200g onions100g ginger1g saffron4 garlic clovesMethodFry the chopped garlic and onion in your tagine (what do mean you don’t own one?) or saucepan.Add the finely chopped ginger, coriander and parsley, then the saffron and leg of lamb. Fry lightly for 5 minutes then cover with your meat stock.Leave covered over a low heat and cook for 40 minutes.Whilst that's simmering away, toast the almonds and leave to one side.After the forty minutes is up, add the prunes, honey and almonds and cook for 5 more minutes.Serve with couscous to which Moroccans tend to add carrots, courgette and turnip to jazz it up a little. If prunes don’t do it for you then try apricots.If you'd like to sample these Moroccan dishes for yourself, see our trips below and plan your escape.
Mountains & Imperial Cities 7 reviews A new adventure across the Atlas Mountains and through the Imperial Cities of Morocco Culture Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 16+ 10 Days from $1,549 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Highlights of Morocco - In Comfort 15 reviews Imperial cities, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert and the Atlantic coast Culture Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 16+ 15 Days from $2,349 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Marrakech & the Sahara 61 reviews Exciting adventure in the Sahara Desert and High Atlas Mountains Culture Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 16+ 8 Days from $1,049 USD $979 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details
Highlights of Morocco 103 reviews Imperial cities, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert and the Atlantic coast Culture Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 16+ 15 Days from $1,549 USD Guided (Incl. Taxes) View More Details