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Artists who paints in oil en plein aire. Member of the three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists. Members: Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Moroccan Dinner for Friends

Moroccan - Food Lover's Collection


She is a Journalist with a curious and enquiring mind. She accompanied her husband on a  a recent medical conference to Morocco where her husband was a speaker.  Against the advice of the  Concierge, she took a taxi to the spice market in Casablanca and purchased all types of exotic spices. She survived the market, however, the airline lost her luggage

She is a friend whose generosity knows no bonds. It was high time to invite them to dinner.

My tagine - a gift from my Moroccan friend


It was decided that a Tagine of lamb with apricots, prunes and honey would be the main course. I have a beautiful serving tagine which a Moroccan friend gifted me.

Tagine of Lamb  Serves 6

2 lb/1 kg shoulder of lamb trimmed and cubed
2-3 tblsp. olive or argan oil
1 oz/25g fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
large pinch of saffron threads
2 tsp round cinnamon
1 onion, finely choppede
2-3 garlic cloves chopped
1 cup plumped dried pitted prunes, soaked in lukewarm water for 1 hr
1 cup plumped dried apricots, soaked in lukewarm water for 1 hr.
2 large tbsp runny honey
sale and pepper


Put the lamp in a large tagine or heavy bottomed flameproof cassserole. A the oil ginger, saffron cinnamon, onion garlic and sale and pepper to taste. Pour in enough water to cover. Cover and simmer for 2 hrs topping off the water if necessary till meat is very tender.

Drain the prunes and apricots and add them to the tagine Stir in the honey, re-cover and simmer for an additional 30 mins or until the sauce has reduced. Serve hot with buttery couscous and a salad.
I have also made this dish with chicken and it is equally delicious.

We had drinks on the balcony and watched the sunset.  Dinner was delicious and we talked in and laughed till the early morning.

Do you enjoy Moroccan food?


69 comments:

  1. I love Moroccan EVERYTHING! Colorful and I think I shall go cook my chicken differently than I first thought

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  2. Helen... I love Moroccan food and the food of Africa, in general. I'too, have a lovely tagine. Mine has a nice colourful pattern on it, to, and I use it for a variety of dishes.

    I simply love cous cous with lamb, or beef, lots of vegetables, the right spices and lots of yummy juices! My mouth is watering! You know how much I love learning about food and experimenting!

    One of the best meals I have had was cooked by Zeinab, a friend from Sudan. When she invited us to dinner I said:" I'll come, but... I will only eat African food!" She cooked us a beef dish (a kind of mild curry) with rice. Fantastic!

    Dessert was a selection of lovely little rich cakes ( her husnand told us Zeinab had learnt how to make these cakes at "finishing school") followed by hot coffe with cardamom pods (delicious!I love the taste of cardamom!) which was poured into small, very exotic cups. The coffee came out of a very thick, beautifully decorated leather "bottle"

    I'll never forget the wonderful flavours and my lovely friend.

    CIAO!

    ANNA

    xx

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  3. I enjoy all types of cuisine dahhling including moroccan, however I enjoy thoughtful friends more no matter the food served. What a great evening!

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  4. Sounds delicious Helen! My daughter went to Morocco but was too scared to venture too far out of her comfort zone.....Sounds like a wonderful evening together!
    xox Kerry

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  5. Oh...thank you for this recipe as we always have plenty of lamb on hand at all times! Thank you also for the kind words when visiting my blog...I always look forward to it!

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  6. Dear Helen,
    I just love ALL food !!!!
    Your Moroccan Tagine looks and sounds delicious.
    Feel free to invite me to dinner anytime !! haha.
    Have a wonderful Sunday Helen. XXXX

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  7. I LOVE MOROCCAN FOOD!!! In fact, while I was in Paris with Ruben on our 20th anniversary, all we ate for dinner was Moroccan! It was so hard to make decisions on where to go and what to eat, but by the end of the day, we always went back for couscous and chicken, or whatever else was smelling good that evening! And the chicken is so tender! LOVELY post my dear Helen, and thank you so much for your kind words and visit to celebrate our 30th. TIME DOES FLY!!! Anita

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  8. Exotic Morocco...right here in Florida!

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  9. I do love Moroccan food, and pottery. I went there many years ago and hope to go back one day.

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  10. I finally have a recipe for my lovely tagine a friend brought me from Morrocco last year.. I have not used it yet. Now is my chance..
    The recipie sounds delicious and I am sure it was.
    Sometimes when i am at my apartment in the Algarve,I eat at a Morroccan restaurant there,the owners are from marakesh.. its a little out of town.. at 11.30..the men come in to sing and chant and the dancing girl sways around the room with her beautiful curves and long colourful scarves..
    I love Morroccan food and I love Morrocco..
    Glad you had a lovely evening Helen.
    Enjoy a happy Sunday.
    val

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  11. Helen, I do love Moroccan food and this recipe sounds so delectable. I'm sure it is made all the better by sharing drinks at sunset with people whose company and intellect you savor.

    This whole post made me think of summer.

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  12. Helen,
    I too love Moroccan food. I fell in love with it when Anita and I went to Paris years ago. Thank you for your kind words on our anniversary.
    All the best,
    Ruben

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  13. Oh yummy Helen, your recipe sounds heavenly. I am sure your friends were thrilled, and topped off with the beautiful terracotta Tagine dish, how thoughtful!

    Many thanks for your comments, so sorry for the delay in replying. I would love to share some marmalade and toast with you! I hope you are having a relaxing day, love Linda x

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  14. I absolutely love Moroccan food, it is making my mouth water just reading about it!
    Jo xx

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  15. PURA VIDA
    Thank you for visiting and following my blog and I wish you a warm welcome.
    I hope you enjoy my recipe for Chicken Tagine.
    Have great week

    Helen xx

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  16. Hello Anna

    I am sure you have some wonderful Moroccan recipes. I hope you post your tagine in a future post. It brings oohs and aahs when taken to the table.

    Have a great week Anna

    Helen xx

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  17. Anna

    Your African meal sounded absolutely fabulous. We have a fabourite Ethopean restaurant that we frequent.The coffee is spectacular ad the ritual beautiful.

    Anna I am getting hungry.

    xxx

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  18. Barefoot in Blue Jeans

    Thank you for visiting and thank you for commenting on my balcony table. We overlook the lagoon and it is always exciting. At times we have manatee and dolphins visit.

    Wishing you a great week

    Helen xx

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  19. HRH The Duchess of State

    You are so right, it is all about the company and they are the most important ingredient. I often forget to eat I am having such a good time.
    Have a great week

    Helenxx

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  20. French and Sparrow

    I can understand your daughter being cautions. My guest (E) is a journalist and very courageous and has lots of great stories. She also reviews books for the newspaper.
    We had a blast

    Hope you have a great week

    Helenxx

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  21. Labergerebasque

    Of course you would have delicious lamb. I am glad my receipe will be used by you.

    Wishing you a great week and thanks for stopping by

    Helenxx

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  22. Jacqueline@ Home

    I would love to have you for dinner and I just know it would be a fun and memorable evening. Perhaps one day it will happen and that would be fabulous
    Wishing you a week full of joy

    Helenxx

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  23. Castles Crowns & Cottages

    How delightful that you spent your 20th anniversary in Paris - (we had our honeymoon in Paris 31 years ago)
    and that you found a Moroccan restauant. I can understand your returning to the restaurant each evening. The spices are so unique.
    Wishing you continued joy as you celebrate your 30th wedding anniversary

    Hugs Helen xx

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  24. Hello Becky

    You are right we can have exotic Morocco right here in the sunshine state. I do believe there is a good shop in St. Petersburg that carries Moroccan goods.

    Have a great week

    Helenxx

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  25. Hello Jen

    I would also like to return to Morocco soon, it has been a long, long time since I visited.
    I hope you wish to travel there comes to pass

    Have a delightful week

    Helen xx

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  26. Val's alentejo blog

    Hello dear Valerie.

    Portugal is very cosmopolitan and how great you have a little Moroccan restaurant you visit. It sounds like a lot of fun. The food is delicious and the spices are such a great blend.

    Wishing you a great week


    Helenx

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  27. Hello Suze

    Yes it was a lovely evening. The sunset was glorious and the afterglow spectacular. Our guest E also writes the weekly book review for the newspaper, and has great recommendations.

    Wishing you a great week

    Helenxx

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  28. Ruben Rivera

    Hello Ruben and again a very happy Anniversary to you and Anita.

    I love that you found a Moroccan restaurant in Paris and frequented it during your visit.

    To a great week

    Helen xx

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  29. Flowers on my table

    Hello Linda

    Thanks for visiting and yes the tagine is a beautiful dish and always brings exclamations from guests. The aroma from the spices is intoxicating.
    Your marmalade sounds delicious.

    Wishing you a great week Linda and hi to Lois and your husband

    Helen xx

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  30. Hesta Nesta

    Thanks for your visit. I am delighted to read that you also enjoy Moroccan food. I must try some other recipes from my cook book.

    My best

    Helenxx

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  31. I must purchase a tagine someday. Love Middle Estern food!

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  32. Yes, please! Reminds me that
    I haven't made Chicken Tangine
    in a very long time. Thank you
    for your recipe and for putting this
    scrumptiousness back on my radar....

    Happy Monday!

    xx Suzanne

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  33. Your tagine is so lovely and the recipe sounds so delicious and exotic! I sometimes cook couscous and add roasted veggies to it and sultanas. We all love that! I love your terrace - it make me long for warmer days! Thank you, Helen! Christa

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  34. I have never had Moroccan food though years ago I bought the tagine spices, and then never made anything...love tagines, they look so pretty. I plan to examine that recipe to see if I can do it. xx

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  35. Your recipe sounds delicous Helen and what a pretty tagine you have. I love Moroccan/Lebanese/Turkish food and have several books. One of my favourites are Arabesque and Saha by Greg Malouf. Do you know them?

    Happy new week,

    Madelief x

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  36. Yes, I love Moroccan food and today I went to the Spice Station here in Los Angeles and bought some beautiful fragrant spices including paprika, oregano, and cinnamon. Your meal must have been delicious and your evening sounds magical!

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  37. What a wonderful tagine and any kind of exotic food will do especially with a good story.

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  38. Superb post Thanks for sharing this information which is useful for all.

    php web development

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  39. It sounds just wonderful!!!! Have just recently discovered middle eastern food and my what aromas and flavors!!! Wishing you well! Cathy

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  40. Helen, although I've never tried Moroccan cuisine, I think I would love it based on the recipe you shared. Thank you!

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  41. Absolutely and we were planning a trip to Morocco this Spring but there are no direct flights from Roma when we wanted to go :(

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  42. Hello Helen,

    Thanks for visiting my blog after your visit to Madelief!! I adore her blog and she is such a nice person, we had a wonderful day together.

    Just like you with friends! I never eat Moroccan, only sometimes Greece.

    Happy evening! Ingrid

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  43. Dear Helen! the recipe sounds divine! I love Moroccan food - well, ask me which cuisine I don't like! Would be hard to find an answer.

    Thank you, dear Helen, for visiting and commenting!

    xxLaura

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  44. Oh dear Helen I'm running so behind with my blog reading! Still a late comment is ok isn't it.
    This recipe sounds divine and I have saved it to try after I brave the supermarket.
    The tagine is gorgeous, your friend is very thoughtful.
    xx

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  45. I love Moroccan too! That pottery is gorgeous...what a fun night!
    Stacy

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  46. Preciosas Fotos.

    Gracias por tu visita a mi blog By Nela.

    Besssssss.

    Manoli

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  47. Helen,

    How wonderfully colorful...I think in a prior life I was Moroccan because a lot of the clothing, buildings, food and music feel very familiar...lol!

    Bette

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  48. Hello Helen, What a beautiful Tagine and your recipe sounds so delicious, I'm sure you and your friends had a wonderful evening. I have a recipe for lamb with apricots and various spices... gosh, its ages since I've made it...I think I will give yours a try! Have a happy weekend, Jane xx

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  49. This sounds like my PERFECT evening. Love your tagine, love Morrocan food and and would love to visit...

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  50. Hello Lumo

    I am happy to read you enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine. It is a marvelous taste. There are such beautiful patterns in tagines, I hope you find a beauty.

    Helen x

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  51. Privet and Holly

    We enjoy chicken and the chicken tagine is delicious and somehow we reserve it for special occasions.

    Hope you have a delightful weekend

    Helen x

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  52. Emilie's Daughter

    Hello Christa

    I love our patio and we use it a lot, we can see the sunrise and sunset from our little balcony and we also overlook the intercoastal waterway. It is like our own little Venice.

    Hope your weekend is special
    Helen xx

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  53. Mrs Little Jeans

    I have no doubt you will be able to master the chicken tagine dish. It is delicious and if there are tiny morsels left over I know Augustus and Ollie will oblige.

    Have a great weekend
    Helen xx

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  54. Hello Madelief

    I have no doubt you are a master cook and thank you for mentioning Arabesque & Saha, I will google this and find some recipes.

    I love to make special meals for guests and one always needs to keep adding to the repertoire.

    Wishing you a great weekend

    Helen xx

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  55. Sunday Taylor

    How fortunate you are to have such a Spice Market in Los Angeles. Fresh spices are so pungent. Many years ago, a client used vacation on the island of St. Vincent, aka the spice island and she always brought me back spices, which were so special.

    Hope your weekend is very special

    Helen xx

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  56. Linda Star

    Thank you Linda for visiting and commenting.

    There are such fabulous tagines, I have my eye on another but that would be greedy.
    I have a passion for beautiful dishes

    Helen x

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  57. Nessa Technologies

    Thank you for visiting and commenting.

    Helenxx

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  58. Grandma K

    Hello Cathy

    I am glad you have discovered middle Eastern cuisine and that you enjoy it.
    The world has so many delicious foods to sample - aren't you glad we enjoy variety

    Helen xx

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  59. Esther G

    Hello Esther

    I think you will enjoy Chicken tagine, it is not hot food and like most dishes, it is even better the next day when the spices have melded.

    Helenxx

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  60. Lindy Lou Mac in Italy

    I hope you find a reasonable flight to Morocco. I will be so looking forward to hearing your account of it, as you always write so passionately.

    have a great weekend

    Helenxxx

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  61. Home and Lifestyle

    Hello Ingrid

    Thank you for visiting and for being my follower. Looking forward to knowing you.

    We enjoy Greek food too. My husband lived in Greece for several months and still craves the delicious cuisine

    Have a beautiful weekend

    Helen xx

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  62. Laura @ Luxe Interiors

    It is always a joy to visit your blog and thank you for dropping in.
    I laughed when you implied that you loved all foods. We do too. It just makes life so much more iteresting, don't you think?

    To a great weekend

    Helen xx

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  63. Red Roses and Crystal - Hello Annie

    I am happy to hear you plan on making the chicken tagine. It is indeed very delicious and quite easy

    I love my tagine and treasure it. It is from a friend I worked with many years ago. She was born in Casablanca - sounds so ramantic?

    My best

    Helen xx

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  64. Hello Stacy Curran

    How great that you enjoy Moroccan food too.

    Wishing you a great week and thank you for your support and kindness Stacy

    Helen xx

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  65. By Nela

    Hello Manoli

    A big warm welcome to you to my blog.
    Thank for your kindess and generosity.

    Wishing you a beautiful week

    Helen xx

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  66. Ideezine

    Hello Better

    I understand fully when you say you feel you were Moroccan in a past life.
    I, too, believe I belong in several countries. It makes for an interesting life?

    My best

    Helenxx

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  67. Jane The Booklady

    Thanks for visiting and for your support Jane.

    Yes, the evening went so well and you would have loved to be present, Mrs. E also reviews books for a major newspaper. Your lamb dish sounds delicious.

    Hope your week is full of joy

    Helen xx

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  68. Bonjour Helen,
    Wonderful recipe, will be trying this one soon. Thank you for coming to visit and following. I've gotten a bit behind. I've been a follower of yours for awhile now.
    à bientô^t,
    Mimi

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