Aromatic Adventures: Discovering the Spice Palette Behind Moroccan Meals

 

Through my lens as I cook with my daughter, we’ve come to understand that food is not just the sum of its parts or directions (it’s an aromatic adventure) a bridge too far into culture, history and soul of place. Our journey through Moroccan food has lead us to this beautiful array of spices and flavors that paints every dish like a masterpiece.

Now close your eyes and take a deep breath. Consider the spicy comfort of cinnamon cozying up to the earthy murmur of cumin, the honeyed warmth of paprika, the floral flirt of saffron and/or coriander’s effusive exuberance. They blend seamlessly together, infusing Moroccan tagines and couscous with depths of flavor, warmth and a seductive dimension.

A favorite we savored was the plain couscous with vegetables , golden grains of couscous, steamed and heaped beneath a rainbow-hued coronet of gently simmered carrots, zucchini, chickpeas and herbs, tinged with the mild spices. The best ones were so delicious that every bite was a celebration for the senses, a delightful contrast of faint sweetness and gentle heat as homey-sounding in a Moroccan kitchen redolent with love and tradition.

We roamed through crowded souks where these spices were sold like treasures, mounds of bright turmeric, sunny ginger, fiery red chili flakes, withered rose petals and the exotic wonders of ras el hanout,  a secret blend that differs from spice merchant to spice merchant, each a guardian of family recipe. It was here that my daughter, suddenly open-eyed and curious, first realized that smells tell stories, stories they would like to cook up now and share.

In Moroccan kitchens, these spices are more than just offerings to enhance the taste of food; they trigger memories and forge connections. The sweet heat of cinnamon in a lamb tagine hints at desert caravans; the smokiness of paprika in harira soup evokes the laughter of a family gathered at dusk. For every meal is a celebration, a feast that takes us on a sensory journey that shows us how inextricably food connects us to place and to one another.

As we three prepare the dishes at home, layering the spices together with love and care,  as I watch my daughter grow more excited by the minute. Through cooking, she can understand Morocco’s culture and know that a dash of this or a dash of that contains centuries of tradition and heart.

I encourage you to find your own scented adventure. Wake up to the flavors of Morocco, and bring its aromatic allure closer home. With every sprinkle, stir and simmer, you’re doing more than one thing at once, you’re tasting history, sampling tradition and savoring the steady work of generations who laid the foundation before enjoying that hearty first bite or second spoonful.

Join us for a tasting journey that feels like Morocco, a three dimensional, aromatic adventure, full flavoured, soul satisfying dish after dish.