Tasting Morocco – experience the treat for the tastebuds that is Moroccan cookery, and learn the art yourself
Because of Morocco’s long history of trading with countries across the world, Moroccan cuisine is sumptuously diverse and varied, with influences from both East and West. We’ll take a look at some of the highlights of Moroccan cookery, and explain how you can learn how to make some of the dishes yourself.
When you visit Morocco, you’ll be bowled over by the cuisine. The first thing you’ll notice about Moroccan food is the multitude of multicoloured spices that populate every Moroccan souk and kitchen. Spices are used extensively in Moroccan cookery and many are locally grown. Just step out to a market and you’ll see the reds of paprika and pepper, browns of cinnamon, cumin and coriander, striking yellow turmeric and golden saffron stacked high in a rainbow of seasoning.
Olives, oranges and lemons are also popular ingredients in Moroccan dishes, indeed fruit is very popular, with prunes and apricots a feature of many savoury meals. Lemon pickle is a popular flavouring device.
Beef, lamb and poultry are the most popular meats in Moroccan cooking, and there are a good range of seafood dishes too. Vegetarian dishes are also popular and couscous, chickpeas and fresh vegetables – especially aubergine and tomatoes – feature extensively on the menu.
For those with a sweet tooth, kaab el ghzal (translated as gazelle horns) is an almond filled pastry, while honey and sesame cakes also feature prominently. These sweets are not usually served as desserts at the end of a main meal, when you will instead enjoy fresh fruit.
Many Moroccan riads and hotels offer cookery courses as part of your stay. Morocco Gateway has a range of hotels offering cookery lessons to guests.
Couscous, chickpeas and fresh vegetables – especially aubergine and tomatoes – feature extensively on the menu”
Alternatively, you can arrange a cookery course for yourself. Fez Food enables you to book cooking lessons and culinary adventures and celebrates the shared language of delicious food. You can travel from Fez to the village of Khoukhate and learn from the women there how to roll couscous by hand, as well as sampling delicious jams that include some surprising flavours such as watermelon and carrot.
Fez’s Clock Kitchen is the area’s first dedicated cooking school, and here you will have the whole cooking experience in one day. You’ll begin by choosing your own personal menu (so if you’re vegetarian or have allergies, for example, you’ll have nothing to worry about). Then you take a trip to the souk, accompanied by a chef, to purchase ingredients, before returning to the school to cook your meal under your chef’s guidance. Afterwards, you will enjoy your self-cooked food in the Clock Cafe.
For details of Moroccan riads and hotels that offer cookery courses, contact Morocco Gateway today. Morocco Gateway can offer special deals on Moroccan hotels and riads.
