If you are looking for traditional Moroccan cuisine look no further, in this article we will try to reveal the mystery behind this fabulous gastronomic tradition.; its history and the reason for its popularity the world over.

The history of traditional Moroccan cuisine started several decades ago in ancient imperial cities in the camps of the Bedouins. It is based on the staple arab diet of couscous, meats, nuts and dry fruits. To this was added a touch of Spain through the Muslim refugees who fled Andalusia and in came the flavors of apices, the love of pastries and sleds from France, fresh fish and all of this turned traditional Moroccan food into a gastronomic legacy.

What goes into the makings of a traditional Moroccan meal?

Couscous of course, the sweet and sour tagines, the refreshing mint tea and the heady fragrance of the spices that lingers in every nook and corner of the country as the aroma of an evening dinner wafts through the open windows. The spices are the hall of a Moroccan meal and regardless of where you grab the bite in a palatial mansion or a humble family home, the spices and the favors is what connects the people of this country. All you have to do is head over to the Djema el Fna square to experience the culinary delights of Morocco. It is not unusual to find the local sipping on their Harira soup or munching on chick peas and of course there is no dearth of tourists in this place all waiting to try out the fames tagines or chicken or the ever delicious egg pie.

The Spices that the Moroccans Love

Walk into one of the food markets of Morocco and its almost like the spices are beckoning you to try out their enticing aromas and enthralling flavors. You will see mounds of spices in all colors and flavors on display in most shops. These spices are usually neatly arranges in pyramids spilling out of a bucket or tin. Even though all of these spices are an integral part of the cuisine, some of these are not home grown but are rather imported from the East while others like cumin, saffron and coriander are grown locally in the fertile Berber valley.

Even though each one of these spices has its own distinctive flavor and aroma, they blend beautifully in Moroccan cuisine one of the reasons for this is the sparing use of spices. Moroccans don’t believe in overdoing the flavors they have to be just perfect and well balanced, nothing should stand out. The spices are used to bring out the flavors of the meat and the vegetables and fruits or to add an extra zing to a dessert. Some of the local favorites are saffron, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and turmeric. But if you are not particularly good at blending spices you should consider going for the tops of the line ras el hanout which is the perfect combination of over 20 spices and this mega spice is guaranteed to spruce up any dish.

But don’t expect the local cooks to use ras el hanout because in this country blending spices is an art form and a chefs culinary education simply can’t be complete without acquiring it.

The Tagines and the Couscous:

Couscous is one of the most popular Moroccan dishes it originated from the Berber valley and is made of semolina wheat grains served with a topping of vegetables and meat or fish. A signs of a good couscous should be the fluffy semolina grains and the trick to achieving this lies in proper steaming. There are more than 20 variations of couscous among them the most popular versions are couscous with the seven vegetables, couscous or sefa etc. the recipe with seven vegetables is perfect for all you health and fitness enthusiasts out there because it has turnips, tomatoes, onions, pumpkin, carrots, pepper and courgettes.

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Moroccan cuisine is among the most widely enjoyed and acclaimed gastronomical traditions in the world. It is incredibly diverse and rich and this has given it immense international dimension. Moroccan cuisine combines some of best influences of many cuisines such as Arabic, Moorish, Berber, Amazigh and European. Today, I would like to talk about what is traditional Moroccan cuisine and some of the meals, breads and cakes that are very popular with the locals and tourists alike

What is the traditional Moroccan Cuisine famous for?

Moroccan cuisine is particularly popular because of its use of the locally found ingredients. For instance, the cooking oils come from natural resources so all dishes are either made with the use of olive oil or argan oil both native to the country and barely found in any other parts of the world. Apart from this; the cuisine relies heavily on the locally grown spices to impart exotic flavors and aromas to the dishes such as turmeric, cumin, paprika saffron, ginger, pepper, white pepper and cinnamon; these are an integral part of the Moroccan gastronomical experience.

The plants and the natural herbs used in the various preparations are also selected from the local varieties such as garlic, parsley, onion, basil, marjoram, coriander, mint, za’atar and verbana and these are not only used to add flavor to the food but also in tea and as garnish

The different types of meats used in Moroccan cuisine are beef, goat meat, and poultry. But given the geographic location of the country, with the Mediterranean Sea to its North, fish is also an important part of Moroccan cuisine. With so many ingredients, Moroccans have the opportunity to concoct some of the most fascinating and fulfilling dishes in the world. The flavors, aromas and the richness of Moroccan cuisine is among the best found anywhere in the world.

Some Famous Moroccan Meals

When you are in Morocco there are so many different dishes to try from and they are all so different from each other that you could spend months without repeating a dish. The staple diet of the country is the famed couscous; this is by far the most popular of all traditional Moroccan dishes. It is a favorite home cooked meal for a Friday lunch and on the night of the achoura ( this is a month after aid al adha).

But couscous is not just one dish it is the basis of many different and diverse dishes. For instance, the fames couscous can be prepared to suit the tastes of the most discerning guest, from couscous with seven vegetables to the sugary couscous the varieties are simply fascinating and mouthwatering. Some other popular versions include couscous with Kourdass couscous or sefa. The traditional Moroccan tajin is another popular dish that can be prepared with an assortment of meats such as goat meat, beef, camel, chicken lamb and even with fish. And of course you could add a variety of vegetables to it as well. But that’s not all, like I said earlier Morocco is a veritable paradise for those looking for a gastronomical experience par excellence

Some of the other popular preparations of the region include the aromatic and exotically flavored skewers, the baddaz, pastilla, attaniya etc.

The different traditional Moroccan Breads

The cuisine is also famous for a variety of breads which are served with the various meats and sauces. However, the most popular bread is from tafarnout. This bread is still a hot favorite with both locals and the tourist because it is made traditionally wit the use of traditional clay ovens. The other traditional breads of Morocco include l/mlawi, l’batbot, l’harcha etc

The Cakes: And then there are the cakes and sweets which are simply out of this world like the very popular l’ briouat made with a puffed pastry that is stuffed with almonds that are flavored with rose water. Then you also have the gazelle’s horn locally known as kaab el ghouzal which is prepared with a puff pastry and almonds. The other famous cakes include fekkas, i’ghroueyba, el bahlawa etc. The primary ingredients used in the preparation of sweets are nuts almonds, honey, sesame and orange blossom water.

Moroccan cuisine offers one of the most delectable and diverse dining experiences in the world. The food is awe inspiring to say the least. One of the reasons for its astounding popularity the world over is the diversity that has been lent to Moroccan aliments brought in through the borrowings from various cuisines that include the specialties from cultures such as Berber, Iberian, Arab, Mediterranean African, Average Eastern and Moorish cultures.

With so many influences and several eras full of experimentations carried out by talented chefs has given a new dimension to Moroccan cuisine. Its flavors, aromas, and the aesthetic value of the preparations all culminate to provide the diners an unforgettable experience. From the aristocratic kitchens and their able cooks in places like Meknes, Fez, Rabat and Tetauan to the elegant modern day restaurants of the Medina of Marrekech, it is avante garde Moroccan cuisine at its best.

Morocco has often been at the nucleus of several cultures through wars and alliances the cultures crept into Morocco and forever impacted the cultural fabric of the country including its cuisine. Even though its common place to see women from all over the world flocking to Moroccan recipe sites they seldom manage to capture the local flavors of the preparations simply because Moroccan cuisine revolved around the fulcrum of locally found ingredients.

The history, traditions and the story of the country are reflected in its gastronomic delights. The various settlements forever altered the Moroccan perception of flavors and aromas. Decades ago refugees would take flight from Baghdad to reach the safe haven of Morocco. But even though they left their belongings back they did bring along knowledge about their local cuisine which mingled with the local preparations making them richer and adding a new dimension to them. One of the traditional dishes that has been influenced by Iraqi cuisine is the bake apple.

Another country that has greatly influenced the Moroccan cuisine is Spain. The Spanish, Moorish Andalusian culinary traits were brought along by Muslim refugees who were befuddled out of Spain during the inquisition. All these influences intermingled with the local produce to create a one of its kind culinary culture. Everything that is grown locally is used with great creativity in the traditional cuisine. Poultry, meats fishes and vegetables all are used to create the extraordinary delicacies of the country.

The Spices

The exclusivity and the uniqueness of Moroccan cuisine can be attributed to their ingenious use of spices which form an integral part of the gastronomic traditions. One of the best places to purchase spices in Morocco is Agadir, you can get spices to add an assortment of colors and flavors to your food. These spices are used in all Moroccan preparations and guarantee a taste that will linger in your memory for the rest of your life. Although the people of Morocco cannot imagine without these spices they were not originally grown in the country.

Some of the commonly used spices include saffron, pepper, turmeric, ginger, sesame seeds, paprika, anis seed, parsley, cinnamon, cumin and others.

The Moroccan Meal

Moroccan dishes are heavenly concoctions that entice the senses and tingle the taste buds. A lot of imagination and the skill of many a talented chef has gone into Moroccan cuisine the way it appears today. A hot midday meal would start with a salad with fresh vegetables followed by the sumptuous tagine, then you will be served the couscous wit an assortment of vegetables and meat or fish. And the end of the meal is brought in with a cup of deliciously brewed tea.

Normally the couscous is served with locally grown vegetables and meats that primarily include poultry, lamb meat and fish; beef is also included but it is rare. The other meats are more common because they are easily and abundantly available.

The tagine and the couscous are not the only favorites the desserts of the country have their own special place in gastronomic history and you simply must taste Moroccan cuisine to experience its true splendor because no amount of words would be able to adequately and justifiably define the gastronomic adventure that Moroccan cuisine is.

If you have been out and about you must have in all probability heard about the buzz around Moroccan cuisine and if you are not sure what the fuss is all about and would like to know if Moroccan cuisine really deserves the vast accolades that its getting, here is an article that will give you 10 reasons to try out Moroccan food tonight.

Ease of Preparation: If you are cooking at home and depending on the size of your family or your guest list, this can be major constraint. The wonderful part of going Moroccan is that the cuisine tastes amazing; looks divine and feel sophisticated but it’s really easy to cook. Most ingredients are easily available in local and specialty food shops so you won’t have to rummage around too much.

The health factor: If you are a fitness enthusiast you must’ve heard about the Mediterranean diet, well the Moroccan cuisine uses all the ingredients used in this diet from the fruits and fresh vegetables to the lean meats and fish. So what you are going to grab for dinner will not only be delicious it will also be healthy. Because the cooking medium is olive oil which is known to prevent bad cholesterol, you an be sure that you are doing your heart a favor by eating Moroccan food.

You can lose those extra pounds: Because you are only eating the freshest of ingredients, lots of fruits and vegetables and fish, you get a lot of vitamins and essential nutrients but the food is not very high on calories. So you eat healthy, stay fit and lose weight

You can whip up a meal real fast: Moroccan food may taste wonderful and it has all these exotic flavors and aromas also you cook them in tangine pots which can get your dinner ready faster than your oven. Also these pots are easy to clean so you don’t have to spend a lot of time after dinner bent over the sink.

The food is versatile: there are so many varieties to choose from in Moroccan cuisine that you could serve at two consecutive parties and your guest will never get bored. The various meats, exotic vegetables, nuts and fruits are all used very creatively to reveal the tangiest food that you will ever eat. With so much diversity and so many recipes to choose from you can be absolutely sure that whether you are preparing the meal for your family or for a social gathering it will be greatly enjoyed and appreciated.

You can find the recipes easily: Since Moroccan cuisine is so popular you can easily find an assortment of recipes online there are various sites that specialize in Moroccan cuisine.

The food is exotic: When you go for a Moroccan fare you are sure to get compliments after all the food is so sophisticated that your guests will certainly believe that you toiled for hours over the stove get it all ready.

You can use them for a snack. We all know how cumbersome it can be to get a platter of snacks ready for those last minute guests. But Moroccan recipes are so convenient that you can just spend a few minutes and you will be able to get a marvelous snack platter ready. All you have to do is get your hands on some pita bread, some olives and eve some cheese.

The tea is so soothing: The Moroccan mint tea can be served hot or cold and is equally refreshing at all times of the day. The variety of desserts in equally appealing, and you are looking for something that the kids will enjoy yet its healthy, go for a Moroccan dessert.

The food is lip smacking delicious: Well isn’t that what it all finally boil down to. If you are looking for delicious recipes that you and your family can enjoy then Moroccan cuisine fits the bill perfectly