Romantic Moroccan Dinner for Two

Tomatoes are traditionally eaten raw and savory in salads, but in this unique Moroccan recipe, the dada will introduce you to a cooked and sweet tomatoes salad.

This caramelized tomato salad is a unique addition to any lunch or dinner table. In most cultures, cooked side-dishes are called appetizers or dips, but in Morocco, these dishes are referred to as "salads."

In this salad, juicy tomatoes are grated. The skin is discarded, and the pulp is caramelized with sugar and cinnamon to produce a delicious sweet dish. Caramelized tomato salad can be made in advance and stored in the fridge. Serve it hot or warm on its own, or use it to top a chicken tagine. Enjoy it with Moroccan bread.

In this course, the dada is going to show you all the steps and tips to make it the authentic Moroccan way.

Ghriba is a popular Moroccan cookie that is served during Eid and for special occasions, such as weddings and baptisms. It is also commonly served in the afternoon alongside the classic Moroccan cup of mint tea!

Ghriba, which translates to "strange" in Arabic, is a circular cookie that is famous for its signature (strange) cracked look. There are many types of Ghriba; the most popular one is known as Ghriba Behla, and is made with all purpose. The other popular variations are made using homemade nut flours (usually almonds or peanuts.) The nut Ghribas are then dipped in a mixture powdered sugar and cornstarch, then baked to acheive that perfectly cracked look.

The Ghriba in this video is made with peanuts. It is commonly referred to as "maalka," which translates to "sticky" in Moroccan dialect. The name refers to the delicate and chewy molasses-like texture of the cookie, which melts in the mouth, and pairs perfectly with a hot cup of tea.

If you are looking for healthy, well-balanced, and delicious salad, look no further, this Moroccan orange and lettuce fruity salad is the one!

This salad combines fruits, lettuce, and nuts. In one bite, we can find the sweetness of oranges, the crunchiness of the apples, and the nutty taste of walnuts.

The sauce is naturally sweetened with honey and seasoned with cinnamon, which is a surprise for people who have never tried such a combo of flavors. Make sure to let all the mixed ingredients rest well in a bowl for at least 30 minutes before serving, which allows the magic of the ingredients to unfold.

This salad is mostly served cold and can be a perfect snack or side dish for a vegetarian or meat course.

Morocco is a majority Muslim country where alcohol is not prominent in the culinary heritage. The main beverages in Morocco are mint tea and a variety of fruit and vegetable juices that are popular due to the abundance of fresh produce in the markets.

These juices are commonly made at home, but they are also readily available in street stalls, markets, and in mahlabas; which are small shops that sell sweets, juices and snacks, and that are present on every street in the country.

If you can get your hands on beet juice in one of these classic Moroccan locations, you should not miss out on this opportunity! But if there are no juice shops nearby, making beet juice at home is not that complicated of a process. All you need is a blender and a few ingredients; mainly beets.

Across the world beets are known to be a savory item that is often added to salads, but in Morocco people love to use it in juices, because it tastes amazing, and even beet haters tend to love beet juice because it’s sweet, and has a very appetizing dark red color. The orange juice tones down the earthy aroma of the beets and offers loads of vibrancy. A drizzle of orange blossom water adds a pleasing floral tone, and makes this juice quintessentially Moroccan.

Beets are also a super food, making this beet juice a fantastic immune booster, and a great alternative to your green smoothie!

Moroccans have a sweet tooth; Which is why in this course, you will find that the dadas (chefs) make the juices with a lot of sugar! However, do not hesitate to reduce the amount of sugar or use honey, dates, maple syrup or any sweetener of choice as a substitute.