Moroccan Meals
Nothing is more quintessential Morocco cuisine than Tangine. Tangine actually refers to the earthen clay pots that many in Morocco use to prepare meals. The tangine is filled with delicious meats, veggies, spices and sauce and cooked my firewood. Oh, it's so good. Tangine is usually served with cous cous and vegetables. There was lamb, beef, meatballs, chicken tangine and let me tell you, I tried it all!
Chicken Tangine
Lamb Tangine with chicken on cous cous. Yes, all for me. Don't judge!
I really enjoyed eating these meatballs on a roof deck of a house that faced the Atlas mountains. Top 5 best meal of my life.
Besides tangine which I ate every day, I had this savory pastry called a "pastilla" and it completely rocked my world. I was so upset that I had it on my last night in Morocco. I wish I had found out about it earlier in the trip because it was so good and I would've had it every day if I could. The one I had was covered in cinnamon and powdered sugar and filled with shredded chicken. A total dance of the taste senses. Just amazing!
Pastilla, so delicious and beautiful on the outside.
Scrumptious on the inside.
It's easy to enjoy food in Morocco because it's affordable but also cause everything is fresh, healthy and all the meals are very balanced. You get a good portion of proteins and super healthy grains and vegetables all fresh and farmed locally. Morocco warmed this foodie's heart.
I hated beans growing up but this Moroccan Harira soup made of chick peas and long grain rice was something I could rock with every day. It's a light soup but rich in protein and a bit tangy from the lemon. All together delicious.
The seaside town, Essaouria, just outside of Marrakech offered amazing and fresh seafood. The restaurants are all lined right by the wharf so you literally pick out your dinner of choice and have it grilled right there for you.
I opted for sardines and prawns. Let me tell you, these are not your grandmother's sardines, okay! Delicious and seasoned with sea salt, cooked on an open flame. Just what I needed for my lunch by the sea. Aww, take me back!
I hate to do an ad for Coca Cola cause it's not like they need it but one thing I enjoy about traveling in Africa is Fanta of different flavors than the traditional orange fanta. Even orange fanta tastes different on the continent. Posting this fanta cause it's part of the experience for me and cause it was so refreshing.
Fanta aside, my Moroccan friends will probably think, "really, she went to Morocco and is posting pics of Fanta? What happened to mint tea?" Don't worry, I drank enough mint tea to last me a lifetime. Even brought some home with me so I can have it every single day. I love Moroccan mint tea. The fresh herb is steeped and served piping hot at all times of the day. It definitely gives you a jolt but watch out for the sugar cubes, ask for yours on the side or you'll get syrup mint tea instead :)
Fresh mint at the market. Just healthy and happy. Not like the sad mint I see at the grocery stores here.
Holla at your girl, I have a good pour, huh?
And of course, Morocco has all types of baklava, pistachio desserts and phyllo pastry your heart desires. I wasn't a huge fan of the desserts but I loved pastilla which is part dessert, part hors d'oeuvres.
And of course, if you definitely try something, try a local beer. I never knew how much of a cultural experience beer could be till I dated this guy who was into beers and he would find all kinds of beer and try them. I, being the good girlfriend that I was, always tried them and now, when I travel, I also try one local beer, just for the experience.
Casablanca is a local beer, light and pale with crisp notes. Yup, I still know the lingo though guy is gone :)