Markets, Meals and Tagines

The Moroccan food was most delicious. I enjoyed it all.

As we travelled around so much, many of our lunches were in riads along the way.

Our evening meals were mostly in hotels with a few exciting exceptions.

On the way to the incredible Todra Gorge we stopped at a huge local market. It was fascinating to stroll round and very hard not to take photos. Many Moroccans are not keen to be snapped.

I just loved the Lidl carrier in the background.

Ibrahim, our wonderful guide, helped us to choose a kilo of massive oranges 

which came to about £1.60.

There`s nothing like a Moroccan orange.

At nearly every breakfast and lunch, we had freshly squeezed orange juice.

At many stops we drank the traditional mint tea which I thoroughly enjoyed but without the sugar.

It was a good digestive aid and presented in a particular way.

 

Tea is poured into glasses from a height in order to swirl loose tea leaves to the bottom of the glass, whilst gently aerating the tea to improve its flavour.

We tried camel milk which was very refreshing.

The beautifully presented salads were like mini works of art. 

Tagines were presented in the traditional conical pots, the waiters removing the lids with a flourish.

These delicious slow-cooked dishes were usually still sizzling when they came to the table.

The best thing about eating Moroccan food was the sharing of dishes.

Having been brought up to clear everything on my plate, being given too much is sometimes quite an ordeal. The great thing about shared food, is that you just take 

what you need and there is no guilt.

Actually if all plates are cleared, Moroccans believe that they haven`t given you enough.

I am hoping to try this dish at home....it is meatballs with an omelette cooked over the surface, towards the end of the cooking time.

We ate many lunches outdoors.

One of the most exciting, was our meal by torch and candlelight in the Sahara, 

cooked by our Berber hosts.

On arrival back in Marrakesh, we spent an exciting day exploring 

the souks and the square, sampling dates and salted almonds.

We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking the square.

Later, as the sun set, we had welcome drinks in a different location 

but still with a great view of the square filling up.

For our final meal together, Ibrahim took us to a pop-up restaurant in the square.

Amazingly these places are completely cleared away every single day.

I loved the carved wooden spoons.

The chefs here provided much entertainment as they encouraged new customers with clapping and banter. The cramped seats didn`t stay empty for long.

The only downside for Jade and myself....there was no loo, but Ibrahim even had the answer to that.

Incidently, all loos and rest rooms on our trip were excellent.

I highly recommend Moroccan food.