A Sensory Delight
Often described as an assault on the senses, Morocco’s sights, sounds, and smells linger long in the memory. Its food, too, is an unforgettable experience. As I strolled through the vibrant streets of Marrakech, the aromas of spices and sizzling tagines pulled me in, beckoning me to immerse myself in this eclectic cuisine. Immersing myself in this culinary adventure became a top priority during my visit to the North African kingdom.
The Ritual of Mint Tea
One of the quintessential Moroccan rituals that captured my heart was the art of pouring mint tea. As I stepped into the El Bahia Moroccan Restaurant in New York City, I was greeted with the sight of a server gracefully pouring steaming hot tea from a height, creating a mesmerizing fountain-like display. This convivial gesture of handing out glasses of hot, herbal tea is a cherished way to welcome guests and say hello in Morocco.
I learned that the secret to this perfect cup of mint tea lies in the preparation. The tea is made by boiling Chinese gunpowder green tea with fresh herbs, such as mint, to bring out the flavors. Depending on the region and season, other fragrant leaves like thyme and lemon verbena may be included. The pouring from a height aerates the top, creating a refreshing, frothy experience. Sugar, once considered essential, is now optional as health-conscious Moroccans embrace this tradition in a more moderate way.
Cooking Classes: A Cultural Immersion
As I delved deeper into Moroccan cuisine, I discovered that cooking courses are popping up all over the country, offering visitors a hands-on cultural experience that stimulates all five senses. At the Palais Amani hotel’s residential Fez Cooking School, I spent a couple of days learning essential skills from a top local chef. We ventured into the vibrant souks to source the freshest vegetables, herbs, and spices, warming up our taste buds with local street food along the way. Back in the rooftop kitchen, we set out to create Moroccan delights like bissara (broad bean soup), zaalouk (grilled eggplant salad), and mouthwatering tagines.
One of the highlights of my cooking class was learning the art of baking khobz, the traditional Moroccan bread. As Muna, our skilled instructor, explained, baking is a daily ritual in Morocco, where bread is so revered that wasting a morsel would be an affront. Traditionally, it’s a wife’s job to hand-mix, knead, and shape the golden-brown loaves that can range from the size of a saucer to as large as a dustbin lid. These puffier versions of flatbread are the perfect accompaniment to a steaming tagine.
Culinary Walks and Couscous Demonstrations
My Moroccan culinary adventure didn’t stop there. I also had the opportunity to join a Moroccan Food Tour in the photogenic city of Chefchaouen. As I meandered through the narrow, cornflower-blue lanes, local guides introduced me to a tantalizing array of delicacies, from freshly baked bread and cookies to dates, olives, goat’s cheese, and seasonal fruits like oranges, pomegranates, and persimmons.
One of the most fascinating experiences was learning the art of preparing the perfect couscous. On a group tour of rural Morocco with Intrepid Travel, I had the privilege of visiting Amazigh family homes, where the hosts graciously demonstrated the intricate technique. Using their fingers, they rinsed the raw grains, rubbed them with oil and water, and then steamed them three times, adding more oil and water between each steaming. The result was a dish of plump, fluffy couscous, seasoned with the aromatic ras el hanout, a classic Moroccan spice blend featuring cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves.
Tagine Tales
No Moroccan culinary journey would be complete without the iconic tagine. During a hands-on cooking class at L’Atelier Madada in Essaouira, I learned the art of building this slow-cooked, one-pot wonder. Contrary to my initial assumptions, tagines are not made in a pestle and mortar but rather start with finely chopped coriander and parsley, known as charmoulla. This versatile paste can be used as a dip, salad dressing, or rub for the tagine ingredients.
As I layered the vegetables, starting with the ones that took the longest to cook, I marveled at the simplicity of the process. The key, as Muna, our instructor, explained, is to coat each ingredient in the charmoulla and then stack them up in a small dome, adding the fish or meat at the end. The tagine then cooks for about an hour, allowing the steam to build up and gently infuse the flavors.
What surprised me most was that the fish, which I expected to cook quickly, actually only needed about 15 minutes, as the tagine’s unique cooking method ensures that the ingredients are meltingly tender. The result was a Sea Bream and Vegetable Tagine that was nothing short of a flavor explosion, with the distinct notes of cumin, herbs, and preserved lemon complementing the slightly charred, smoky carrots.
Embracing the Moroccan Lifestyle
As I savored the last bites of my perfectly executed tagine, I couldn’t help but feel a deep appreciation for the Moroccan way of life, where food is so intertwined with cultural rituals and traditions. From the daily mint tea ceremony to the reverence for bread and the communal nature of meals, I witnessed a deep respect for the culinary arts that is woven into the fabric of Moroccan society.
My Moroccan culinary adventure not only delighted my taste buds but also opened my eyes to a world where food is not merely sustenance but a means of connection, celebration, and cultural preservation. As I plan my next visit to El Bahia Moroccan Restaurant in New York City, I eagerly anticipate reliving the sights, sounds, and flavors that have forever left their mark on my heart and palate.
