Happy Diwali to all

Grey skies have arrived in Marrakech, the nights are getting colder, although it's not quite the same feeling of Autumn in London, Summer is certainly over here. I love watching Marrakech wake up on early misty mornings, coming home from work in the evenings to a nice warm apartment and with the change of seasons has come a change of food. Colder days make me crave hearty, richer, comfort foods. On one such day armed with my mum's recipe, i decided to make 'Keer' or rice pudding for the first time. Mum always makes it on special Occasions such as today, Diwali, it's creamy, comforting and full of flavour. This recipe is very simple and doesn't take much time either.

My photography has not been great lately due to lack of light ( most of my pics are taken at night when i have more time) and a camera that is slowly dying on me :(

Keer

1 pint ( 1/2 litre) semi skimmed milk ( you can use full fat, semi skimmed is what i used)

1 small espresso size cup of short grain rice

1 small pot (250ml) single cream (i used light )

2/3 cardamom pods

a couple of saffron threads

1-2 tablespoons sugar ( granulated)

1) In a large saucepan bring milk to the boil, turn gas to low heat and add the rice, cardamom, saffron and simmer for 45 - 50 mins until rice becomes soft, stir occasionally to prevent rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. ( if it is looking a little too thick add some more milk).

2) Add the sugar and cream after 45 mins and stir for 5-10 mins until creamy and all the sugar has dissolved. 

can be served hot or cold, enjoy!

Sweet memories

This is for my dear friend Cleo, back home in London, we would meet up every few months for an Italian lunch followed by extravagant, buttery pastries and coffee at patisserie Valerie. Over lunch we would talk about the past , the future, travel, family, Morocco and of course food. Cleo loved to talk about her fond memories of Morocco on visits with her family, having been bought up in London she savoured the taste of Moroccan food and life, she hasn't re-visited the country for a long time and we always discuss my visits to Marrakech at length, marvelling at the changes over the years.

 Cleo was one of the first people i told when i made the decision to move to Marrakech, i felt her joy and happiness for me instantly, i also felt sadness at the thought of no more lunch dates or pastries with her anymore something i miss so much, but i know she is only an email away and reading this blog waiting for some new pictures and updates.

While eating a plate of the famous Moroccan pastries and a hot cup of sweet tea i think of her, Kaab el Ghazal ( gazelle's horns ) are her favourite as i remember and turning out to be one of my favourites also.

For you Cleo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwny/4686608165/

Jemaa el fna - a Foodies dream place

Jemaa El Fna in Marrakech is one of those places that amazes you every time you visit, the entertainment, the people, the sounds, the colours and most importantly the wonderful array of culinary delights on offer really makes this a foodies dream. Walking through the narrow alleys of the Medina with the sous chef, camera in hand and on the lookout for some delicious little treats, a rather touristy trip but like i say it's magic every time.

Here's just a few of my favourite things i captured on camera today, with more to come.

Salad plates

Since arriving in Morocco i have come to love the wonderful variations of salad plates, it is slowly becoming my favorite part of the meal ( something which i never thought i would say!) but i have grown to appreciate the preparation and assembly of  a good salad.

Back home in London i very rarely ever ate salad with my main meal, if i did it would be a little cucumber, onion and tomato. Salads weren't really a big part of the meal in my family home only occasionally a big potato salad on a barbecue night, and i never missed it, even shop bought salad held little interest for me apart from a Marks & Spencer roasted vegetable and cous cous salad enjoyed occasionally on summer days.

So one day when i wasn't feeling too great i came home and made my self comfortable on the sofa, not moving from my place for the next few hours.In the mean time my Sous Chef  ( that's what i like to call him, although i'm sure he would prefer the title of head chef  instead but seeing as i spend more time in the kitchen that title is still reserved for me) Sous chef got busy preparing dinner, Salad and some delicious marinated sole pan fried with spices. However the salad really stole the show, it was lovely and light but nutritious and filled with protein and a good combination of flavours. Salad plays a big part here and present in almost all family homes at meal times along with other little side dishes which i hope to have up here soon.