Mediterranean hot, exotic satisfying food which won’t affect the waistline.
With the growing diet food industry, it can be a minefield trying to decipher the good from the bad. What has happened to good wholesome quick and easy recipes that not only entice your taste buds but are unashamedly a feast for your eyes too?
Moroccan food invokes all benefits of the Mediterranean Diet Plan qualities, heartwarming Tagines, fresh fish griddled with subtle spices, a steaming seven vegetable couscous full of nutrients that boost your immunity, fend off nasty winter bugs and keep you warm.
Lamb is one of the main focusses at a Moroccan table, especially roasted lamb, which is as tender and as juicy as you will find. It can also be steamed, braised or served on skewers, the latter commonly known as shish kebab. A generously spiced beef or lamb is known as Kefta, which is then rolled into the shape of a sausage, placed on a skewer and broiled; when it is rolled into meatballs, it is used in tagines. Beef tagines are prepared with a selection of vegetables and some even use fruit.
Chicken is also used in Moroccan cookery and can be some of the tastiest dishes at a Moroccan table. Chicken cal also be steamed, broiled or roasted and is often accompanied with vegetables. Chicken with lemon and olives is the classic preparation of a Moraccan dish. Another popular dish is tagine, which is cooked with olive oil, onions, pepper, saffron, chick-peas, almonds and lemon is also popular.
The concept of salad in Morocco is quite different to the west, both in its preparation and presentation. For one thing, salads are only occasionally dressed in oil. Instead, many dressings are subtle mixtures of lemon juice or vinegar, sugar, fragrant waters and spices, or fresh fruit juices and herbs.
The best way to sample Moroccan cuisine is to visit your local Moroccan restaurant. The excellence of the Moroccan cuisine has become more widely recognized and with its popularity Moroccan restaurants are popping up in many cities.
You will be treated to a banquet style meal where you can savor all the flavors. Typically in Moroccan restaurants guests are seated on cushions around low round tables and each dish is served on a large round platter which is placed in the centre of the table. Everyone eats straight from the dish.
Ras el-hanout is one of the most complexes of all Moroccan spice mixtures. It is made with about twenty seven different spices, including the now forbidden Spanish fly, once used by the Marquis de Sade as an aphrodisiac; I did say it was hot and exotic food! You are helping trim your waistline in more ways than one!
This spice is readily available in most Middle Eastern, Indian shops in the west and will give you all you need for an authentic taste of morocco.
There are many really good Moroccan cook books available on the Internet and all good book shops, other sources are Moroccan discussion forums where you can mingle with English speaking Moroccans and gain invaluable knowledge into Moroccan cuisine. One of my favorites is www.moroccanstar.co.uk.
Treat your senses to Moroccan cuisine while you trim your waist.
