My trip to Morocco: gourmet discoveries, good addresses and new recipes!

I’ve just returned from a trip to Morocco, a magnificent country that I’ve had the great good fortune to visit twice in recent years! Just like on my first stay, I was completely charmed by this warm and relaxing place, which really lets me disconnect from my routine. What impressed me most, I think, was the abundance of colors and flavors in this culture. A getaway to Morocco means filling up on beauty and goodness! So you can imagine why I love this part of the world so much!

To inspire you to visit this little corner of paradise, or to incorporate its inspirations into your own cooking, I’ve put together this article featuring traditional dishes to try, interesting facts I’ve learned about Moroccan cuisine, suggestions for addresses and activities, and a few recipes inspired by my trip. Enjoy your reading!

Traditional dishes you must try!

Morocco is renowned for the richness of its delicious cuisine, with several emblematic dishes. I took advantage of my stays to try as many specialities as possible, and if I could, I’d go back until I’d tasted everything! Here are my favourites:

• The zaalouk: It’s a dip made with eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and spices that can be served as a side dish or appetizer. Simply delicious!
• Msemmen: A type of flaky pancake that is part of the traditional Moroccan breakfast, and also enjoyed at teatime. Most msemmen contain butter, but they can be made without and be just as delicious!
• Tagine: This is a slow-cooked stew in a clay baking dish, also called a tagine. Ingredients traditionally include a combination of meat, poultry or fish, vegetables, fruit, spices and olive oil. There are all kinds of variations: chicken with green olives, lamb with prunes, vegetarian tagine, etc. And they’re all tasty!
• Couscous : Of course! It can be served as is, or with a vegetable stew accompanied by meat, fish or chickpeas. It really is the iconic dish you picture when you think of Moroccan cuisine, and with good reason… It’s so good!
• Harira soup: A classic that I love so much! This tomato, vegetable, meat and onion-based soup is both fragrant and super-comforting. Montreal’s Sumac restaurant offers an excellent example: a great way to indulge in a little Moroccan warmth without a plane ticket!
• Mint tea: again and again! Mint tea is a veritable institution in Morocco. It’s eaten every day, on all kinds of occasions. It was definitely my drink of choice. It’s a far cry from the mint tea you find in grocery stores here. It is prepared with great care, and is truly an art! I’m still dreaming about it!

Some interesting facts about Moroccan cuisine!

– The preparation of mint tea varies from region to region in Morocco. It’s usually made with green tea, sugar and mint, but sometimes other herbs are added. For example, some mint teas also contain lemongrass, which is really excellent!

– The spices available in Morocco are, in my opinion, incomparable with those we have in North America. Moroccan markets offer access to fresh, quality spices with more intense flavours and a much richer taste than we’re used to. It’s a joy to cook with these products! I was particularly impressed by their ground ginger and smoked paprika… I wanted to fill my suitcases with them!

– You often hear it, but it’s true: Moroccans aren’t afraid to use lots of spices! No wonder their dishes are so fragrant and tasty! It makes me want to use even more of them in my recipes… You tell me if I’m exaggerating 😉

-Candied lemons are commonly used in Moroccan cuisine to add flavor and complexity to dishes like tagines, couscous and salads. Good news: making preserved lemons at home is super simple! However, you’ll need to be patient: you’ll need to leave the lemons to preserve for 2 weeks to 3 months, depending on the recipe! But I think it’s worth the wait!

My recommendations if you want to visit Morocco!

If you’re thinking about a trip to Morocco, I’d say Essaouira and Marrakech are two of the must-sees! These are two destinations that I recommend for different reasons, and which, when combined on the same trip, offer the perfect balance of relaxation and action!

Essaouira

Essaouira is a port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It’s a little corner of paradise, with a gentle, pleasant atmosphere. Here, you can take your time to relax and enjoy the magnificent ocean views. Here are some of my favorite addresses and activities in Essaouira:

• Dar Baba: A restaurant that seduces with its eclectic decor and great atmosphere. I recommend trying their delicious house cocktails.
• L’Océan Vagabond: A drink by the ocean, with your feet (almost) in the sand… What more could you ask for?
• Quad tour in the sand dunes: If you get the chance to take a quad tour in Essaouira’s sand dunes, it’s well worth it! The scenery is simply stunning. The kind of activity that makes for so many wonderful memories!
• Stroll through Essaouira’s medina and harbor: See Essaouira’s historic harbor and its pretty, colorful boats, then stroll through the medina’s alleyways and pedestrian streets, full of restaurants and shops.
• Poodle Rooftop: The perfect place to stop for a fresh juice while enjoying the most beautiful view!
• La Table des Douars: Enjoy a delicious meal in a warm, lush Moroccan setting.
• Sidi Kaouki: Sidi Kaouki is a small village 25 km south of Essaouira. I loved the long walk along the beach!