cocina Introducción

Moroccan food is one of the most sensual in the world. It appeals directly to the senses of smell, sight and taste in a way that not many other cuisines can match.

Expert chefs in Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat have helped refine Moroccan cooking and create what we know as Moroccan cuisine today.

Eating in morocco is serious business. The midday meal is the main one and you can expect large portions - enough to keep you going all day! They usually start off with a series of hot and cold salads. Then, they have tagine or stew. Next is the main portion - normally a lamb or chicken dish with a huge plate of meet and vegetable couscous. Mint tea is normally drunk after the meal.

In Morocco, they often eat with the first three fingers of their hand and to use bread as a utensil. Don?t be alarmed. It?s quite normal here.

The two royal cities of Fez and Marrakech have had a strong Arabic influence on Moroccan cuisine. This, combined with the Jewish traditions from Essaouirra and the Andalucian sensibilities of Tetouan has led to a diverse range of ingredients.

Morocco?s best loved dishes include; couscous (of course) which is basically semolina grains served with a variety of meat and vegetable toppings; mechoui - roasted lamb; djej emshmel - a roast chicken dish cooked with lemon and olives and bisteeya - a delicious savoury and sweet pie with three layers, wrapped in very thin pastry.

Most of the commonly used raw ingredients for cooking are homegrown; the mint and olives comes from Meknes; Oranges and lemons are from Fez and prickly pear comes from Casablanca.

They also grow almonds, dates, chestnuts, walnuts, cherries, melons and pomegranates. The Atlantic coast of Morocco provides some world class seafood and they raise lamb and poultry on the higher grounds.

In this land of abundant, high quality food, there is a huge emphasis on home cooking. Most Moroccans will tell you that the best meals are found at home and not in the restaurants. It?s not uncommon for women to do all the cooking. This is after all, a very traditional country.
Introduccion