Taste of Maroc - Moroccan Recipes, Moroccan Culture, Moroccan Lifestyle and Moroccan Travel

Moroccan Desserts

Moroccan Strawberries and Yogurt Dessert

Seasonal fresh fruit is the typical dessert in Morocco, and when strawberries are in season this is one of my family’s favorite ways to enjoy them. The fresh berries are washed, sliced, then mixed with creamy...

Cake-like cookies flavored with honey and lemon zest

Moroccan Cookies

Moroccan Ghoriba Cookies with Honey – Ghoriba Dyal ‘Asal

Despite their name of Ghoribas with Honey, these little Moroccan cake-style cookies aren’t too sweet, making them a simple, satisfying treat to offer alongside tea or coffee. With their citrus zest flavor and soft...

A large decorated serving platter features a bowl of krichlate, miniature shortbread cookies surrounded by almonds, walnuts, dried figs, dried apricots, dates and raisins.

Moroccan Cookies

Krichlate Recipe – Moroccan Petite Shortbread Cookies for Ashura

Krichlate, qrishlat, fqiqssat or q’iq’ats (كعيكعات) are crunchy miniature shortbread cookies. They’re sold in Moroccan markets and traditional bakeries throughout the year, but we mostly associate them...

Round orange slices are arranged in overlapping fashion on a deep blue plate. The oranges are garnished with ground cinnamon.

Moroccan Desserts

Moroccan Orange and Cinnamon Dessert Salad

Moroccan oranges with cinnamon is usually served as a dessert salad at the end of a meal, especially when navel oranges are in season. The oranges are peeled and cleaned of all pith, then sliced and garnished with...

A white bowl holding Moroccan carrot and orange salad. Wedges of orange are arranged in a pinwheel as a garnish.

Moroccan Desserts Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Carrot and Orange Salad with Orange Flower Water

Moroccan Carrot and Orange Salad with orange flower water is one of the most classic salads you’ll find in Moroccan cuisine. It’s a refreshing use for Moroccan oranges, which are so naturally sweet and...

A small bowl full of juicy pomegranate seeds. A few seeds are scattered around the base of the bowl and a whole unopened pomegranate is in the background.

Moroccan Desserts

Moroccan Style Pomegranate Seeds

Pomegranate seeds are juicy, nutritious, and extra delicious with the Moroccan additions of orange flower water and cinnamon. Moroccans are most likely to serve this tasty treat as a dessert, but my kids are happy to...

Moroccan fekkas with almonds and raisins. on a plate

Moroccan Cookies

Moroccan Fekkas with Almonds and Raisins – Fekkas Msseoues

Fekkas or fakkas is a famous twice-baked Moroccan cookie very much like biscotti. In Morocco we find them in different shapes and sizes and with different additions. This recipe is for a classic version called...

Moroccan almond ghrieba or macaroon on a plate. The cookies are chewy in texture with cracks on the surface. They are dusted with powdered sugar.

Moroccan Cookies

Moroccan Almond Macaroon – Mlewza or Ghrieba d’ellouz

I have yet to meet anyone who can resist the unbelievable chewiness of these Moroccan almond macaroons, a type of ghrouiba or ghrieba. And I have yet to attend a wedding or a happy event in Morocco where they are not...

Moroccan petite fekkas with chermoula on a plate. They are bite-sized savory cookies which are baked twice like biscotti.

Moroccan Cookies

Moroccan Petite Fekkas with Chermoula – Fkikssate b’Chermoula

These bite-sized savory biscuits get their flavor from chermoula, a classic Moroccan marinade. A crunchy, satisfying snack or tea time nibble.

Close-up photo of seven cake-like cookies on a plate with silver floral etching.

Moroccan Cookies

Moroccan Cookies with Evaporated Milk – Ghoriba au Lait Concentré (Purisima)

Ghriebas or ghoribas with evaporated milk are soft-textured, cake-like Moroccan cookies flavored with lemon zest. They’re easy to make and perfect for an afternoon snack or tea time. As the name suggests...

A platter of almond briouats, a Moroccan triangular shaped pastry filled with almond paste.

Moroccan Cookies

Almond Briouat Recipe – Moroccan Pastries with Almonds and Honey

Almond Briouats are traditional Moroccan pastries that show up on tea time tables, Ramadan iftar tables and at special occasions. They’re popular year-round and are one of the iconic Moroccan pastries which...

Overhead photo of three different presentations of sellou, a Moroccan paste-like sweet made from ground almonds, ground sesame and flour.

Moroccan Desserts

Sellou Recipe – Sfouf or Zmita

Moroccan sellou, also called sfouf or less commonly zmita, is a rich, nutty confection of ground fried almonds, ground toasted unhulled sesame seeds, and browned flour. Flavored with cinnamon and anise and sweetened...

Are You Ready for Eid Al Adha?

A lettuce-line platter holds large pieces of steamed lamb. Small tagine-shaped condiment dishes holding salt and cumin are in the background.

Moroccan Lamb and Beef Dishes

Moroccan Steamed Lamb Recipe

This traditional Moroccan Steamed Lamb recipe is often made in the days following Eid al-Adha, when generous cuts of meat are on hand after a home slaughter. Although not a fancy dish, it’s tender, tasty and quite...

Overhead photo showing many pieces of beef brain in a pan. The offal was cooked in a reduced tomato sauce.

Moroccan Offal and Variety Meats

Marinated Lamb or Calf Brains in Tomato Sauce – El Mokh Mchermel

Islam

Understanding Islamic Sacrificial Slaughter

Udhiyah and qurbani are interchangeable Arabic terms for the sacrificial slaughter of a sheep, goat, cow or camel as mandated for Muslims during the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Adha. A sacrificial slaughter is also...

Overhead photo of skewers of marinated beef on a grill. The meat is almost ready to be served.

Moroccan Lamb and Beef Dishes

Moroccan Lamb or Beef Brochettes – Kebab or Qotban

In Morocco, lamb or beef brochettes are known simply as kebab or by Arabic words for skewers—qotban, qodban and sfafed. They’re a popular street food year-round and a favorite when grilling at home, especially...

Mqila dish: image showing a fork holding small pieces of meat from a Moroccan dish called Mkila

Ingredients Moroccan Lamb and Beef Dishes

Mqila Slaouia – Express Khlii (Moroccan Preserved Meat)

Mqila Slaouia (or just mqila) is a meat specialty dish from the Moroccan sister cities of Sale and Rabat. It’s commonly known as cheat version of khlii, a confit of preserved, sun-dried meat. As with the...

Photo of Moroccan confit of preserved meat. Strips of dried meat are covered with the grainy solidified fat in which they were packed.

Ingredients Preserved Foods Tips, Techniques and Tutorials

Moroccan Preserved Meat – Khlii or Khlea

Moroccan Offal and Variety Meats

Moroccan Heart and Kidney Kebabs

Heart and kidney kebabs and other grilled offal are common street food offerings in Morocco. They also are among the first things served during the Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al Adha) when families tend to prepare the...

A photo of cured strips of meat hanging to dry on a line in order to make gueddid, a type of Moroccan dried meat.

Ingredients Preserved Foods

Moroccan Cured and Dried Meat – Gueddid

Thousands of years ago, people developed ways to preserve and store food for as long as possible. In the Maghreb where Morocco is located, sun drying cured meat was one such way. Moroccan families inherited this...

A photograph of a single ram with long horns. A rope is tied loosely around his neck. The image was taken on the occasion of Eid al Adha.

Culture Islam

Eid Al Adha (Eid Al Kabir) in Morocco – The Festival of the Sacrifice

Muslims worldwide observe two major religious holidays: Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. The first marks the end of Ramadan while the second culminates the annual hajj season. Of the two, Eida al Adha is regarded as holier...

image of a Moroccan bucher shop. A customer is standing next to a glass-enclosed meat counter on the left and fresh whole meat is hanging to age on the right.

Islam

Religious Slaughter in Islam – Zabihah or Dhabihah

Moroccan Offal and Variety Meats

El Hergma – Calves’ or Lamb Trotters with Wheat Berries and Chickpeas

Slow-cooked calves’ or lamb trotters with wheat berries and chickpeas is a traditional Moroccan dish known as El Hergma, Hargma or Fraqesh. It’s a national favorite that can be prepared all year, but many...

overhead photo of mrouzia, a Moroccan lamb confit with raisins, almonds and honey

Moroccan Lamb and Beef Dishes

Mrouzia – Moroccan Lamb Confit with Raisins, Almonds and Honey

Mrouzia is an old and traditional Moroccan tagine of meat, raisins, almonds and honey. Heavily spiced and sticky sweet, it’s a favorite dish to prepare during Eid al Adha when extra meat is on hand from a home...

Salads and Sides

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Carrot Salad with Chermoula – Khizzou Mchermel or Zaalouk dyal Khizzou

Carrots, commonly known in Morocco as khizzou or zroudia, are widely used in Moroccan cooking, ranging from starters to juices to main dishes. This cooked carrot salad with chermoula is a family favorite on a Fassi...

A whole steamed eggplant with chermoula, a Moroccan herb and spice marinade.

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Eggplant (Aubergine) in Chermoula – Bdenjal Mchermel

Moroccan eggplant (aubergine) in chermoula or Bdenjal Mchermel is an easy cooked salad or side dish which can be made ahead of time and served later. It’s traditionally presented on small plates which are arranged...

Cabbage salad with two texture served in two separate plates. One texture looks like a coarse mash and the other looks finely chopped.

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Cabbage Salad with Chermoula – Zaalouk de Chou

Zaalouk de Chou, Zaalouk or Mderbel Mkaouar are all names for Moroccan cabbage salad with chermoula. It’s similar to a number of other salads in which cooked vegetables are smothered in chermoula during a second...

overhead view of a dish of cauliflower mashed and mixed with chermoula.

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Cauliflower Caviar – Zaalouk de Chou-Fleur

Zaalouk of cauliflower with chermoula is a cooked Moroccan salad that’s usually served chilled or at room temperature. The cauliflower may be served finely or coarsely mashed, or as small florets smothered in...

Moroccan potato salad with chermoula. The potatoes are cut in cubes and coated with chermoula, served in a green plate and decorated with purple olives

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Potato Salad with Chermoula – Batata Mchermla

Moroccan Potato Salad with Chermoula is called Batata Mchermla. It’s one of my favorite starters to prepare because I can also serve it as a warm side dish instead of the usual bread for a complete meal. The...

Moroccan Desserts Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Carrot and Orange Salad with Orange Flower Water

Moroccan Carrot and Orange Salad with orange flower water is one of the most classic salads you’ll find in Moroccan cuisine. It’s a refreshing use for Moroccan oranges, which are so naturally sweet and...

Two variations of chopped, cooked zucchini smothered with herbs and spices are shown side-by-side on decorated blue dishes.

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Zucchini Salad with Chermoula

Moroccan Zucchini Salad is one of the many do-ahead vegetarian recipes you can make using chermoula. Although we prefer to use fresh pale Moroccan zucchini because of its texture and delicate flavor, all sorts of...

Moroccan bendy cucumber salad with oregano in grated and sliced form

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Armenian Cucumber Salad with Oregano – Moroccan Feggous Salad

This refreshing chilled salad with Armenian cucumbers is flavored with oregano. Orange juice and orange flower water are optional.

Moroccan pumpkin paste topped with sesame seeds

Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips Moroccan Spices, Marinades and Condiments

Sweet Moroccan Pumpkin Paste: Gr’aa mderbla or m’aassla

Mderbel of pumpkin (القرع المدربل) or gr’aa m’aassla/maassala) (القرع المعسَّل) is a delicious sweet Moroccan pumpkin paste with cinnamon. It can be served as a cooked salad or as a topping to a famous...

Moroccan split pea soup in a black shallow metal dish. The soup is garnished with ground cumin and olive oil. A spoon is in the soup and a partial loaf of Moroccan bread and bottle of olive oil are behind the bowl.

Moroccan Bean Dishes Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips Moroccan Soups and Porridges

Moroccan Split Pea Bessara Recipe – Moroccan Split Pea Soup or Dip

The word bessara refers not only to this Moroccan Split Pea Soup or Dip recipe, but also to a tasty Moroccan dried fava bean dip that’s prepared in similar fashion. For the split pea bessara, the dried split peas...

A shallow clay dish with handles holds Moroccan loubia, a dish of white beans stewed in zesty tomato sauce. A small red chili pepper is centered in the dish.

Moroccan Bean Dishes Moroccan Lamb and Beef Dishes Moroccan Salads, Sides & Dips

Moroccan Stewed White Beans Recipe – Loubia

Once you try zesty, saucy Moroccan Stewed White Beans (loubia), you’ll see why this humble dish is a comfort food favorite for so many Moroccans. White beans are soaked overnight then stewed with fresh tomatoes...

Tips & Techniques

A couscoussier is on a stove. Couscous is barely visible in the steamer basket.

Tips, Techniques and Tutorials

How to Steam Couscous the Moroccan Way

Traditional Moroccan couscous is always prepared by steaming, a method that allows each individual grain of couscous to become plump and tender without being clumpy, soggy or sticky. This is usually done in a...

Tips, Techniques and Tutorials

How to Steam Broken Vermicelli or Angel Hair Pasta (Chaariya) for Seffa and Other Moroccan Dishes

Learn how to steam broken vermicelli or angel hair pasta (chaariya) for use in traditional Moroccan recipes such as seffa and seffa medfouna.

Image showing several wedges of pomegranate; the bright red seeds are exposed but still trapped in membrane. Several whole pomegranates are in the background. A single whole walnut rests beside a small pile of pomegranate seeds.

Tips, Techniques and Tutorials

How to Seed a Pomegranate

If your family likes to eat pomegranate seeds by the bowlful, as do many Moroccans, removing and cleaning the seeds can be a bit of a tedious task. Or, if you’ve never tried seeding a pomegranate before, you might...

Fresh whole chicken on a wooden cutting board. Two heads of garlic, two tomatoes and a sprig of rosemary are beside the chicken.

Tips, Techniques and Tutorials

Cleaning and Brining Chicken the Moroccan Way

Moroccan cuisine has a vast array of chicken dishes. Whether the birds used are beldi (free range or country chicken) or roumi (standard battery chicken), they must undergo a specific process of cleaning and brining...

Whole preserved lemons and wedges of preserved lemon in a decorated ceramic dish.

Ingredients Preserved Foods Tips, Techniques and Tutorials

How to Make Moroccan Preserved Lemons

If you’re going to be cooking Moroccan dishes with any regularity, even if only occasionally, you’ll want to keep preserved lemons on hand. They’re surprisingly easy and inexpensive to make at home...

Ingredients Preserved Foods Tips, Techniques and Tutorials

Moroccan Preserved Meat – Khlii or Khlea

Khlii (or khlea) is a confit of Moroccan preserved meat. It’s traditionally prepared by the long, slow simmering of a cured, dried meat called gueddid in olive oil and suet. The resulting confit will store safely...