Morocco signifies the exotic, the unusual, & the most amazing flavors. Most people have no idea what to expect when I talk about Moroccan food. Meals are served communally, all the guests help themselves from one pot. Tagine (tagines) of spiced rubbed roast lamb, chicken, or game birds, are accompanied by vegetables & fruit. Americans would compare the tagine to a casserole, except casseroles are bland in comparison. Classic tagines include harissa/ras el hanout (red chili & spice mixtures), lemon, fruit, olive oil, the meat, & carrots. These ingredients are combined in an earthenware bowl & slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone. Many other ingredients can be added. Paprika, onion,garlic, pepper,lemon, red chili, ginger, cumin, cilantro, mint,cinnamon, salt, ADD RAISINS Quick Moroccan Spice Marinade: 1 cup olive oil 2 T. Moroccan Spice Blend 1/8 cup raisin vinegar 1/4 cup dry red wine 1 lemon cut in slices 1 tsp. salt - Marinate overnight with vegetables or meat of your choice before grilling or baking. Moroccan Spice Couscous: Buy a box of couscous & follow directions except add 1/3 sachet of the Moroccan spice blend. After pasta is prepared let cool, while you cut up remaining vegetables to add. 1/2 seedless cucumber, cubed 1/2 red onion, chopped 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped 1 T. minced garlic 1 Roma tomato, diced 1 Serrano pepper, minced (Add hot pepper to taste) -This is an excellent cold or hot dish. Cooked meat can be added, chicken or lamb. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Lamb Tagine: 4 lb. lamb shoulder, cut in chunks 1 cup Olive oil 2 T. garlic 1 lemon, quartered 1 onion, minced 1 package frozen peas 1 pinch saffron 1/2 sachet of Moroccan spice 1 bay leaf 2 T salt 1 T green peppercorns, ground 1 cup of water Optional - kalamata olives -Stir together all ingredients with water. Put into a large casserole dish (or Tagine); simmer in 300-degree oven for 1 hour. Take out & turn the meat, stirring the vegetables, & then cover. Cook casserole 30-40 minutes. Check tenderness of lamb, may require more cooking time. Garnish with fresh cilantro or lemon wedges. Moroccan tomato sauce: 4 chopped tomatoes (or equivalent for canned tomato) 1 T. Moroccan Spice -Allow spice to sit in tomato for 20 minutes. Tomato sauce can be substituted. Excellent with fish, lamb, or chicken. Moroccan Spice Blend
